The killing of a female doctor in Pakistan has once again raised serious concerns about the safety of women in the country. Dr. Mehwish, known by a single name, was shot dead while returning home from duty in Kohat in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Police said the attack happened early in the morning as she was traveling in a rickshaw after finishing work at the District Headquarters Hospital. Reports suggest the incident may have been linked to an argument at the hospital, where she had asked a male attendant to leave a women’s waiting area.
The tragic death has highlighted the wider problem of violence against women in Pakistan. Government data presented in parliament shows that more than 7,500 women were killed between 2021 and 2024, including over 1,500 so-called honor killings. During the same period, authorities recorded more than 173,000 cases of violence against women, including rape, domestic abuse, harassment, and kidnapping.
Experts believe the real number of cases may be much higher because many victims do not report crimes due to fear, stigma, and social pressure. Studies also show that many married women face violence but never seek help.
Despite growing education and professional opportunities for women, many still feel unsafe in everyday life. Human rights advocates say Pakistan has several laws meant to protect women, but weak enforcement remains a major challenge.
Activists stress that real change will require stronger law enforcement and a shift in social attitudes toward respecting women’s rights and dignity.
