Which Complaint Route to Use in Punjab: Violence, Property or Workplace Harassment
Not sure where to file in Punjab? See the three routes the Women Development Department lists for violence, property and harassment, with their time limits.
In Punjab, a woman's complaint goes to a different place depending on the problem. The Women Development Department's FAQ points violence to the family court, property to the ombudsperson, and workplace harassment to an inquiry committee or the ombudsperson. Call the helpline 1043 if you are not sure which one fits.
Picking the wrong door wastes weeks. This guide puts the three routes side by side, with the time limits the department lists, so you can choose before you file.
Pick the route by the problem, not the person
The route depends on what happened, not on who did it. The department FAQ gives one legal remedy for each of three common problems. The table shows each one and the time the department says it takes.
| Problem | Where to go | Time the department lists |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic violence | Family court, under the Punjab Protection of Women against Violence Act 2016 | 90 days |
| Property or inheritance denied | Ombudsperson, under the Enforcement of Women's Property Rights Act 2021 | 60 days |
| Harassment at work | Inquiry committee at the workplace, or the ombudsperson | Not stated |
These times are what the department lists, not a promise for your case. Courts and offices can take longer, and we could not test any of them.
Take domestic violence to the family court
For violence at home, the department points to the family court under the 2016 Punjab law. The court can issue a protection order. Our detailed guide to a protection order in Punjab explains the steps and the papers.
If you are in danger now, do not wait for a court. Call the police on 15 and, if you need a safe place, read the guide to admission in a Dar-ul-Aman. Keep photos, medical papers and messages. They support any later case.
Take a property or inheritance dispute to the ombudsperson
When relatives or others deny a woman her share, the department points to a complaint to the ombudsperson under the 2021 property rights law. Our guide on getting property back through the ombudsperson covers the form and the proof you need.
Bring land records, the death certificate of the owner and a family tree. If you need to prove who the heirs are, see how to get a succession certificate. A complaint with papers is easier to decide than one with only a story.
Report workplace harassment inside the workplace first
For harassment at work, the department says to report to the departmental inquiry committee or to the ombudsperson. Many workplaces must have such a committee, so ask for its members and the complaint form.
- Write down what happened, with dates, places and witnesses.
- Save messages, emails and call logs.
- Give a written complaint to the inquiry committee and keep a received copy.
- Take the file to the ombudsperson if the committee does not act.
Our guide to a workplace harassment complaint in Pakistan lists the steps and the time limits. Women in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have their own guide on workplace harassment complaints there.
Whichever route you use, build a simple file from day one. Put every paper in one folder, with a dated list on top. Keep copies of what you hand over, and ask for a received stamp or a complaint number each time. Write down the name of each official you speak to. A neat file helps a lawyer, a court or an ombudsperson understand your case quickly, and it protects you if a date is disputed later.
Do not sign a paper you have not read or do not understand. If someone pressures you to withdraw a complaint or to sign a compromise, call the helpline first and ask a legal advisor to explain what it means for you.
Use 1043 when you are not sure
The Punjab women's helpline 1043 lists all three problems among the issues it handles. Its team includes legal advisors, and it says it works 24 hours a day. Our guide to the Punjab women's helpline 1043 shows what to prepare before you call.
If a problem mixes several of these, such as a husband who beats you and takes your inheritance, you can use more than one route. Ask a lawyer how to order them. We cannot give legal advice for your case.
Common questions about women's complaints in Punjab
Do I need a lawyer to file a complaint?
Not always. The helpline has legal advisors who explain your options. For a court case, a lawyer is usually sensible.
Can I use more than one route at once?
Different problems can need different routes. Ask a lawyer or the helpline how to order them so one case does not harm the other.
Does this apply outside Punjab?
These laws and offices are for Punjab. Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have their own guides, such as the one on a protection order in Sindh.
Is the 90 day time limit a guarantee?
No. It is the time the department lists. Real cases can take longer. Keep a note of each hearing date.
What if my husband refuses to pay maintenance?
That is a family court matter too. See the guide to maintenance in a Punjab family court.
How we verified this
What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.
Last checked 8 October 2026 on the Women Development Department Punjab FAQ page and the Punjab Commission on the Status of Women helpline page. The laws, offices and time limits are as the department states them. We did not read the Acts themselves for this guide, and we did not test any office.
About the author
Senior Writer, Public Services and Technology
Shahid joined us in 2024 as an author. He is a senior contributor to Pakistan's leading technology websites. He writes detailed articles, mostly covering his expertise in the latest tech, mobiles, apps, gadgets, and step-by-step guides. His ideology is to help people understand the latest trends and explain complex methods through very easy-to-understand guides.
