How to Use the Punjab Women's Helpline 1043 for Violence, Harassment or Property Disputes
Call 1043, the Punjab women's helpline, 24/7 for violence, harassment, property and job rights. See what it covers, what to prepare and what to do next.
Call 1043 to reach the Punjab Women's Toll-Free Helpline. The Women Development Department says it works 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can call, register a complaint online on the Punjab Commission on the Status of Women (PCSW) page, or walk in.
Many women do not call because they are not sure the problem is "big enough". The helpline lists a wide range of issues, from violence at home to a job quota. This guide shows what to say, what to keep ready and what happens next.
Call 1043 for violence, harassment or a denied right
The Punjab government pages say anyone facing gender-based discrimination, harassment or violence can use 1043. A woman can call for herself, or someone can call for a woman they know. The call is free from the number itself.
The helpline team is described on the PCSW page as all-women call agents, three legal advisors, a counsellor, supervisors and management staff. You do not need a lawyer before you call. The legal advisors are there to explain your options.
If someone is in danger right now, call the police on 15 first. Our list of emergency and helpline numbers in Pakistan keeps the other urgent numbers in one place.
Know the issues the helpline says it covers
The official pages list the issues below. Anything else that has a legal or social side can still be raised, because the pages also say "various other" issues are accepted.
| Issue | Where to read more |
|---|---|
| Domestic violence | Guide to a protection order in Punjab |
| Workplace harassment | Guide to a workplace harassment complaint |
| Property and inheritance rights | Guide to getting property back through the ombudsperson |
| Hostels and day care for working women | Guide to the Punjab working women hostel |
| Job quotas and skill development | Ask the helpline for current programmes |
The department's own page also says women can bring problems about being kept out of government decision making bodies and about changes to employment policies.
Prepare four things before you call
You can call with nothing in hand, but a short note makes the call faster and the record stronger. Write down these four items and keep them on paper, not only in your phone.
- Your name, CNIC number and the district where you live.
- What happened, with dates, in the order it happened.
- Names of the people involved and their relation to you.
- Any proof: messages, photos, medical papers, a job letter or a property paper.
Tell the truth, even where it is hard. A complaint that changes later is easier to challenge. If you are afraid the caller list on your phone can be seen, ask a trusted friend to call or use the online form from another device.
Use the online form or walk in if a call is hard
The PCSW page says you can "call now at 1043 or register your complaint online or walk in". The online form is useful if you cannot speak freely at home. Walking in suits a woman who wants a face to face talk with a legal advisor.
We could not find a walk in address, an opening time or a language list on the pages we read, so we do not print one. Ask for this on the call. Use only the link on the official PCSW or Women Development Department site, because fake pages copy helpline names.
The Women Development Department site also lists the legal routes. Our guide to the right complaint route in Punjab puts them side by side.
Expect advice, not an instant court order
The helpline gives information, legal advice and counselling. It is not a court, and it does not by itself stop a person from harming you. The page does not promise a reply time, and we did not test how quickly agents answer.
For a safe place to stay, see the guide on admission to a Dar-ul-Aman shelter. For a child in danger, see how to report child abuse in Punjab.
Common questions about the Punjab women's helpline
Is the 1043 helpline free?
The pages call it a toll-free helpline. We did not make a test call from every network, so check with your own operator if you are worried about charges.
Can a man call 1043 for a woman?
The page asks if you or someone you know faces a problem, so a person can call on behalf of another. The woman herself will still need to give her consent for any action.
Do I need a lawyer to call?
No. The team includes three legal advisors, and the helpline is meant to explain your options before you decide on a lawyer.
Does 1043 work outside Punjab?
It is a Punjab government service and the pages describe it for women in Punjab. Women in other provinces should use their own provincial service. Our guide to a protection order in Sindh and the one for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa show local routes.
What if no one answers?
Try again, use the online complaint form and keep a note of the time you called. If you are in danger, call 15 at once.
How we verified this
What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.
Last checked 8 October 2026 on the pages of the Punjab Commission on the Status of Women (Helpline 1043) and the Women Development Department (helpline and FAQ pages). We read the service description, the 24/7 claim, the list of issues and the three ways to complain. We did not call the number, and we could not confirm languages, a walk in address or response times.
About the author
Public Services and Education Journalist
Fajr Riaz is a journalist and content writer at Pakistan Era, based in Lahore. She covers the questions people meet in everyday life in Pakistan: how a public service works, what a change in the rules means, and where to find a reliable answer.
