Cases of sexual harassment in Lahore have increased by 300% in the last month

In unfortunate developments, cases of sexual harassment in Lahore —the City of Gardens— have spiraled up by 300%.

The cases have witnessed an unprecedented rise after the unfortunate harassment incident at Minar-e-Pakistan on Independence Day.

This was revealed in a report by the Punjab Police on Wednesday.

According to the report, the Punjab Police registered a disturbing 642 cases of sexual harassment in the last forty days.

The number of recent cases is way more than the cases before the unfortunate harassment incident at Minar-e-Pakistan on the 14th of August this year, which numbered around 150.

In the month of August, an unfortunate total number of 323 cases of harassment were registered, while 319 cases of harassment have been reported in the current month of September so far.

The cases were registered under sections 354, 354-A, and 509-B.

Penal Code 354: Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty.

Penal Code 354–A: Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to strip off her clothes.

Penal Code 509-B: Insulting modesty or causing sexual harassment by conducting sexual advances, or demanding sexual favors, or using written or verbal communication or physical conduct of a sexual nature at the workplace.

According to the Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Shariq Jamal Khan, acts of sexual harassment were happening in the past but most victims avoided registering the cases.

Nevertheless, the unfortunate Minar-e-Pakistan incident has encouraged women who were victims of harassment to register such offenses, Khan added.

The DIG Police has encouraged more victims to come out and register the cases.

However, Khan clarified that the authorities would take strict action against fake cases.

Read More: How To Report Harassment In Pakistan: Helplines That You Should Know About [LIST]

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