Islamabad  - Around 100 women are raped every day in Pakistan's largest city of Karachi, a leading police doctor was quoted as saying Tuesday.

Most were working women or those working as domestic helps, and aged 20 or under, the English Language Daily Times quoted the city's Deputy Police Surgeon Dr Zulfiqar Siyal as saying.

"I am saying with full authority that such a large number of rape cases happen in the city," he told the newspaper on the sidelines of a discussion on sexual violence organized by a women's rights organization, Aurat Foundation.

"But very few rape survivors have the courage to come forward in search of justice," he added.

Siyal said the victim held back because of the lengthy and complicated medical process and delayed justice system in Pakistan.

Only 0.5 percent of cases are reported and the most of the sufferers prefer to stay silent.

According to the official data during the last eight months, between January and August 2008, only 197 cases were reported," Siyal said.

Karachi is Pakistan's commercial hub, with a population of around 16 million. (dpa)