LHC rejects plea for directions to legislation on marital rape

Dawn7 November 2026, 00:05 UTCPakistan

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has dismissed a public interest petition seeking directions to the federal and provincial governments to legislate on marital rape, holding that a constitutional court cannot compel the legislature to enact a particular law or create a new offence. Justice Abher Gul Khan clarified that the ruling neither endorses violence or abuse within marriage, nor prevents the Parliament or any provincial assembly from taking up the matter. Areej Sohail Bhutta, a lawyer, filed the petition, stating that she had encountered women clients who complained of non-consensual

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