Pakistan: crime and justice

What is the crime rate in Pakistan?

Police in Pakistan recorded 1,511,238 crimes in 2024, up from 1,467,205 in 2023 and 1,119,817 in 2022, according to National Police Bureau figures published by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics in its crimes reported by type and province table. With a population of about 250 million, that is roughly 600 recorded crimes per 100,000 people.

These are crimes reported to and registered by police (first information reports), not a survey of victims, so changes can reflect reporting and registration practice as well as crime. Over 60% of the total falls under 'miscellaneous' offences. The table is listed on the PBS social statistics page.

Official sources: PBS: crimes reported by type and province (Excel) · PBS: social statistics

How many murders are there in Pakistan each year?

Police in Pakistan recorded 11,074 murders in 2024, up from 10,871 in 2023, according to National Police Bureau figures in the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics crimes reported table. A further 17,050 cases of attempted murder were registered. Punjab recorded 4,908 murders and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 3,444.

The World Bank, using UN Office on Drugs and Crime data, gives an intentional homicide rate of 4.3 per 100,000 people for 2023. Police counts cover cases registered, so a single case can involve more than one victim, and the two sources are not directly comparable.

Official sources: PBS: crimes reported by type and province (Excel) · World Bank: intentional homicides, Pakistan

Which province of Pakistan has the most crime?

Punjab recorded 1,120,291 crimes in 2024, about three-quarters of Pakistan's 1,511,238 total, according to National Police Bureau figures in the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics crimes reported table. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa recorded 216,872, Sindh 118,169, Islamabad 24,573 and Balochistan 13,753.

Punjab has more than half of Pakistan's population, so the totals partly reflect size. Recording practices also differ between provincial police forces, and some offences are handled by levies or other forces in parts of Balochistan, so lower counts do not always mean less crime. The table also gives figures for Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and the railways police.

Official sources: PBS: crimes reported by type and province (Excel)

How many robberies and vehicle thefts are reported in Pakistan?

Police in Pakistan recorded 72,956 robberies and 130,854 motor vehicle thefts and snatchings in 2024, according to National Police Bureau figures in the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics crimes reported table. Burglaries numbered 39,975 and other thefts 263,206.

Robberies fell from 78,912 in 2023 and vehicle theft and snatching from 143,351, while other thefts rose. These are cases registered by police, so phone snatchings or thefts that victims do not report are missing. Sindh, which includes Karachi, recorded 21,664 vehicle thefts and snatchings, the second-highest after Punjab.

Official sources: PBS: crimes reported by type and province (Excel)

How many cases are pending in Pakistan's courts?

2,168,293 cases were pending in Pakistan's courts on 30 June 2026, down from 2,222,685 on 1 January 2026, according to the Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan Bi-Annual Judicial Statistics Report for January to June 2026. District courts held 1,864,909 of them and the superior courts 303,384, including 32,962 in the Supreme Court and 155,292 in the Lahore High Court.

Courts decided 2,461,702 cases in the six months and received 2,399,790 new ones, so the backlog fell by about 2.5%. The district courts of Punjab alone held 1,397,203 pending cases. Figures are compiled from returns sent by each court, and adjustments for restored or remanded cases are shown separately.

Official sources: LJCP: Bi-Annual Judicial Statistics Report, January to June 2026 (PDF) · LJCP: judicial statistics reports

How many murders are there in Pakistan?

The latest figure from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, for 2023, is 4.3 per 100,000. Its high point since 2005 was 2011, at 6.8 per 100,000; its low point was 2019, at 3.5 per 100,000. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 1.1 per 100,000; Pakistan is 1st highest of 6. Worldwide: 31st of 79.

How many people have been killed in fighting in Pakistan?

The latest figure from the Uppsala Conflict Data Program, for 2024, is 1,534. Since 2005 it has ranged from 110 (2005) to 6,916 (2009). Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 657, and Pakistan placed 4th highest of 10. Worldwide: 11th of 41.