Violence and Discrimination Against Vulnerable and Excluded Groups

Everyone has the right to live free from discrimination, violence and fear. Yet, in Pakistan, deep-rooted prejudice continues to deny this basic right to women, girls, transgender persons, ethnic and religious minorities, persons living with disabilities, refugees and internally displaced persons.

While some legal reforms have been made, gender-based violence and hate crimes remain widespread. Cases of domestic abuse, harmful customary practices, forced conversions of women and girls from religious minorities, and transphobia are rampant. Growing radicalization, both at the level of state and society, has made faith-based violence—from the threat of mob lynchings to the desecration of worship sites—a daily reality for many communities. The country’s political, economic and social infrastructures generally ignore the needs of persons living with disabilities. Refugees are considered increasingly unwelcome and subject to forced repatriation.

Unfortunately, the political will to implement strong protections remains alarmingly weak.

At HRCP, we are committed to standing with those who have been silenced and sidelined. We advocate for stronger laws, challenge policies rooted in discrimination, investigate instances of abuse, and use public interest litigation to uphold the rights of vulnerable groups.

This work informs everything we do—from climate justice to labour rights—because equality cannot be compartmentalized. We work alongside grassroots movements, amplify marginalized voices, and bring civil society together to demand a fairer, more inclusive Pakistan.