ISLAMABAD: The most recent comprehensive data released by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) for the year 2022 has recorded a surge in various crime categories across the country, particularly in crimes against women, children, Schedule Caste and Tribes (SC/ST), and cybercrimes.
The statistics are alarming in cybercrimes, with a total of 65,893 cases reported in 2022, reflecting a significant 24.4 percent increase from the previous year’s 52,974 cases as reported by KMS.
Simultaneously, crimes against women witnessed an uptick in 2022, with a total of 445,256 cases registered, marking a 4.0 percent increase from the previous year’s 428,278 cases.
Notably, the majority of these cases fell under ‘Cruelty by Husband or His Relatives’ (31.4 percent), followed by ‘Kidnapping & Abduction of Women’ (19.2 percent), ‘Assault on Women with Intent to Outrage her Modesty’ (18.7 percent), and ‘Rape’ (7.1 percent).
The crime rate per lakh women population increased from 64.5 in 2021 to 66.4 in 2022, emphasizing the urgency of addressing gender-based violence.
Kidnapping and abduction cases across the country saw a 5.8 percent increase in 2022, totaling 107,588 cases. Disturbingly, 76,069 victims were children, highlighting the vulnerability of the younger population. Out of the total victims, 117,083 were recovered, with 974 found dead. Crimes affecting the human body constituted 32.5 percent of total IPC crimes in 2022.
Fraud emerged as the primary motivator in 64.8 percent of these cases, totaling 42,710 cases. Extortion followed at 5.5 percent (3,648 cases), and sexual exploitation constituted 5.2 percent (3,434 cases). This sharp rise underscores the critical need for strict cybersecurity measures and increased public awareness.
Furthermore, crimes against children witnessed a disturbing rise, with 162,449 cases reported, marking an 8.7 percent increase from 2021.
Kidnapping and abduction accounted for 45.7 percent of these cases, while the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO), 2012, contributed 39.7 percent. This underscores the urgent need for comprehensive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of children in the country. —APP
