28/07/2026
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Commission on the Status of Women
Statement by the Board of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Commission on the Status of Women (KPCSW)
The Board of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Commission on the Status of Women (KPCSW), exercising its statutory mandate under the KP Commission on the Status of Women Act 2016, expresses its profound concern over the growing incidents of harassment, intimidation, online abuse and gender-based attacks targeting women in public life and leadership positions across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The Board is particularly concerned by the reported harassment and organised social media trolling directed at Ms. Suriya Bibi, Deputy Speaker of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, Member of the Provincial Assembly, and a Member of the KPCSW Board. Such coordinated conduct constitutes potential violations of Sections 14, 16, and 17 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, which criminalise cyber stalking, electronic offences against women, and coordinated harassment patterns, respectively.
These actions further violate Articles 14 and 25 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, which protect the inviolability of dignity and equality of citizens before the law, and create a hostile environment that discourages women from participating in democratic institutions and assuming leadership roles.
The Board emphasises that this is not an isolated concern but reflects a systemic pattern of gender-based discrimination faced by women in leadership across political, public and professional spheres, conduct that undermines democratic values, weakens inclusive governance and sends a damaging message to women and girls aspiring to contribute to public life.
The KPCSW Board reaffirms that every woman, irrespective of her political affiliation, profession or social background, has the constitutional right to dignity, equality, security and equal participation under Articles 14 and 25 of the Constitution. Differences of opinion or political disagreement can never justify gender-based harassment, intimidation or discrimination.
The Board calls upon the following authorities to take prompt and specific action. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cybercrime Wing is called upon to register a formal complaint and investigate the reported incidents under PECA Sections 14, 16, and 17. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is called upon to identify and remove coordinated inauthentic content targeting Ms. Suriya Bibi and other women in public life. The Speaker of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly is called upon to invoke parliamentary privilege protections for its members. The Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is called upon to develop a comprehensive policy framework protecting women in public office from gender-based harassment, online and offline.
The Board further urges political parties, public institutions, civil society organisations, media outlets and citizens to reject all forms of misogyny, online hate and discrimination against women. The Board notes that PECA’s provisions must be applied to protect women from harassment, not weaponised against them. Respectful dialogue, equal treatment and the protection of women’s rights are essential to a democratic, inclusive and just society.
As the statutory body mandated to safeguard and promote the rights of women in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the KPCSW Board remains committed to monitoring such incidents, engaging with relevant stakeholders and advocating for policies and actions that uphold women’s constitutional rights and strengthen their participation in public, political and economic life.
The Board stands in solidarity with all women facing harassment, discrimination and intimidation and reiterates that violence and hostility against women, whether online, in public spaces or within institutions, must never be tolerated.
Issued by: Board of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Commission on the Status of Women (KPCSW)
