Family · For citizens
Abuse at home? Ask for a protection order.
In short
In Punjab, the Family Court can order him to stay away, keep you in the house, and pay your costs. Interim orders can come on your affidavit.
By the FAI Legal editorial desk · 10 October 2026 · 11 slides · 2 min read
Myth or fact?
The sentence that keeps women silent.
- Myth: It is a family matter. The law cannot step in.
- Fact: Violence by someone you live or lived with, related by blood, marriage, adoption or employment, is domestic violence (s.2(1)(h)).
Not only beating.
The Act counts more than bruises.
“any offence committed against the human body of the aggrieved person including abetment of an offence, domestic violence, sexual violence, psychological abuse, economic abuse, stalking or a cybercrime;”
Punjab Protection of Women against Violence Act, 2016 · Section 2(1)(r), "Violence"
Three orders you can ask for.
From the Family Court (s.2(1)(d), s.4(1)).
- Protection order, s.7No contact, stay away, stay a set distance. GPS bracelet for grave violence.
- Residence order, s.8You cannot be evicted from the house except by law, or he arranges or pays rent for another place.
- Monetary order, s.9Medical costs, lost earnings, damaged property, maintenance for you and the children.
Who files, and where.
File near you, not only near him.
- Who can fileYou, someone you authorise, or a Women Protection Officer (s.4(1)).
- Which courtWhere you live, where he lives, or where you last lived together (s.4(1)).
- Help to enforceThe court can direct a Women Protection Officer to protect you, and the police to assist (s.7(5), (6)).
The clock is in the law.
Section 4 of the Act.
- First hearingWithin 7 days of the complaint reaching the court (s.4(2)).
- His replyWithin 7 days of notice, or the court assumes he has no defence (s.4(3)).
- Final decisionWithin 90 days, as nearly as possible (s.4(4)).
Quick quiz. Before the end?
Guess first, then swipe for the answer.
- A. No, only after the final order
- B. Yes, on your affidavit
- C. Only if police register an FIR
Answer: B. An interim order.
At any stage of the complaint (s.6(1)).
“If the Court is satisfied that the complaint prima facie shows that the defendant has committed an act of violence or is likely to commit an act of violence, it may issue an order on the basis of an affidavit of the aggrieved person or any other material before the Court.”
Punjab Protection of Women against Violence Act, 2016 · Section 6(2), Interim order
If he breaks it.
Breach is a crime (s.20).
- First breachUp to 1 year, or fine Rs 50,000 to 200,000, or both (s.20(1)).
- Again1 to 2 years and fine Rs 100,000 to 500,000 (s.20(2)).
- GPS trackerTampering with it counts as a breach (s.20(1)).
- Fair warningA knowingly false complaint is punishable too (s.19).
Ask privately. Free.
Ask FAI in your own words. It answers with the exact section and the judgments behind it.
- My husband locked me out of the house. Can the court let me back in?
- What is a protection order under the Punjab Protection of Women against Violence Act?
Example questions
What this does not mean
- This carousel is about the Punjab Protection of Women against Violence Act, 2016. It does not describe the law of other provinces.
- You do not need an FIR or a final order to get relief. The court can make an interim order on your affidavit (s.6(2)).
- The Act also punishes a knowingly false complaint (s.19).
Questions people ask
What is the domestic violence law in Punjab, Pakistan?
The Punjab Protection of Women against Violence Act, 2016 lets the Family Court make protection, residence and monetary orders. Violence includes domestic violence, sexual violence, psychological abuse, economic abuse, stalking and cybercrime (s.2(1)(r)).
How to apply for a protection order in Punjab?
You, someone you authorise, or a Women Protection Officer can file in the court where you live, where he lives, or where you last lived together (s.4(1)). The first hearing is within 7 days of the complaint reaching the court (s.4(2)).
Can my husband throw me out of the house?
Under a residence order (s.8) you cannot be evicted from the house except by law, or he arranges or pays rent for another place.
Can the court give an order before the case ends?
Yes. At any stage, if the complaint prima facie shows violence or a likely act of violence, the court may issue an interim order on your affidavit (s.6).
What is the punishment for breaking a protection order?
First breach: up to 1 year, or fine of Rs 50,000 to 200,000, or both (s.20(1)). Again: 1 to 2 years and fine of Rs 100,000 to 500,000 (s.20(2)).
Sources
- Punjab Protection of Women against Violence Act, 2016 · Section 2(1)(r)
"Violence" Punjab Code - Punjab Protection of Women against Violence Act, 2016 · Section 6(2)
Interim order Punjab Code
Educational legal information, not legal advice. Every case turns on its own facts. Speak to a qualified lawyer about your situation. Review status: Pending advocate review. How we check.
