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Tag: child abuse

  • 13-year-old Rizwana stands up three months after being tortured

    13-year-old Rizwana stands up three months after being tortured

    13-year-old Rizwana, a domestic violence victim who had been under treatment in the General Hospital in Lahore since three months, has taken her first steps after the ordeal.

    While talking to Geo, the head of the medical board treating Rizwana, Prof. Jodet Saleem, said that 90% of Rizwana’s treatment has been completed and she has started walking now.

    Rizwana’s injuries have also healed, but she still needs an arm surgery as the Orthopaedic is yet to confirm a date.

    Prof. Saleem further said that Rizwana is likely to be discharged from the hospital soon, but she will likely stay in Lahore.

    According to the medico-legal certificate (MLC) issued in July, the extent of Rizwana’s injuries was concerning. The report revealed lacerations on her head, face, and body, including broken teeth, bruises, and signs of strangulation. The girl’s harrowing ordeal came to light when her father, a laborer, filed a complaint with the Humak police station.

    In August, plastic surgery was also performed on the girl.

    Rizwana had been allegedly tortured and abused while working at a civil judge’s home in Islamabad, after she was accused of stealing jewellery. Rizwana’s family revealed that the girl was not paid a single penny by the family for the extensive workload she was doing and was instead subjected to violence.

  • Three reasons why we’re excited to watch upcoming film ‘Gunjal’

    Three reasons why we’re excited to watch upcoming film ‘Gunjal’

    Social media was set ablaze yesterday when the official trailer for the upcoming film ‘Gunjal’ released on all platforms, promising to take users on a thrilling journey about one of the darkest cases in Pakistan. We are incredibly happy to witness the Pakistani industry shift its filmmaking approach and step into more complex social issues. Here are some reasons why we’re super excited to watch ‘Gunjal’:

    1 It explores the investigation of the murder of prominent children right’s activist Iqbal Masih

    For most of our audience members who don’t know Iqbal Masih, he was a vocal critic of abusive child labour in Pakistan, a state he escaped at the age of 10. Because of his protests, Iqbal was able to free more than 3000 children from forced slavery. He visited countries like the US and Sweden where he advocated for an end to bonded labour. However, Iqbal was tragically shot by unknown culprits at the age of 12. But his efforts to eradicate bonded labour didn’t go unnoticed as he posthumously received  World’s Children’s Prize for the Rights of the Child in 2000, and later the Sitara-e-Shujaat in 2022 from President Arif Alvi.

    2 The cast list includes thespians like Resham and Ahmed Ali Akbar

    After the success of dramas like ‘Gunah’ and ‘Churails’, as well as Sarmad Khoosat’s ‘Zindagi Tamasha’, it’s clear that Pakistanis want something else other than saas-bahu content. A film like ‘Gunjal’ will ignite the audience’s curiosity and encourage more to watch the film in theatres, because this is a clear opportunity to bring more diverse stories back on our screens.

    3 We need more crime thrillers in Pakistan

    After the success of dramas like ‘Gunah’ and ‘Churails’, as well as Sarmad Khoosat’s ‘Zindagi Tamasha’ it’s clear that Pakistanis want something else other than saas-bahu content. Clearly, a film like ‘Gunjal’ will ignite the audience’s curiosity and encourage more to watch the film in theatres, because this is a clear opportunity to bring more diverse stories back on our screens.

    Gunjal is directed by Shoaib Sultan and written by Nirmal Bano and Ali Kazmi, and its set to release in theatres across Pakistan on December 8.

  • Minor housemaid missing from Pir’s house

    Minor housemaid missing from Pir’s house

    It has been a month since a minor housemaid working at an influential pir family in Karachi went missing.

    The girl’s father, Ayaz Chandio, fears that his 16-year-old daughter, Aqsa Chandio, has either been killed or sold by her employer.

    Aqsa went missing on August 15 and as the father filed a complaint, Darakhshan police registered an FIR under Section 365-B (Kidnapping, abducting or inducing woman to compel for marriage etc) of the Pakistan Penal Code on August 17.

    Ayaz spoke with Times, a Sindhi news channel, expressing fears that Aqsa has either been killed or sold by the frmale employer.

    The employer had informed Ayaz Chandio of Aqsa’s disappearance after which he came to the coastal city from Khairpur. However he has claimed that he was detained at the family’s house for two days.

    He also said that the neighbour recalled that they could hear Aqsa’s cries and screams every night.

    The employer’s brother threatened Ayaz and warned him that he would not be able to return to his village, Pir Jo Goth, if he highlighted the disappearance.

    He has also complained that the police have not been taking the case seriously.

    According to DIG-South Syed Asad Raza, Aqsa was kidnapped from the Seaview apartment on August 15.

    The police constituted a special team, probed some suspects and arrests were expected very soon.

    According to investigators, Aqsa had a mobile phone that she secretly used which infuriated her employees. Ayaz was called but by the time he arrived, Aqsa had left.

    The mobile phone is currently in police’s custody.

  • Hina Shah surrenders to police in Fatima murder case

    Hina Shah surrenders to police in Fatima murder case

    Hina Shah, one of the central suspects in 10-year-old Fatima Phariro’s murder case has surrendered to police, ARY News has reported.

    Hina Shah is the wife of Pir Asad Shah, the other central suspect in the death of the child.

    According to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Samiullah Soomro, Hina Shah surrendered due to constant raids and police investigations.

    She has been moved to the women’s police station and will be presented before the court for remand.

    Previously, Fatima’s mother complained that SHO Khanwahin Ghani Dayo issued threats to abduct or kill her. She added that he also used foul language while alluding to Fatima.

    “SHO Khanwahin has been assisting pirs of Ranipur” she claimed and has insisted on protection from Khanwahan police officer.

    When the caretaker home minister of Sindh visited the family last week, he ordered the SHO to hold officials accountable.

    Fatima’s case

    A domestic maid, 10-year-old child Fatima Phuriro, was found dead under suspicious circumstances in Ranipur.

    The child had been working as a domestic worker at a haveli owned by an influential local, Pir Asad Shah Jilani.

    Fatima’s mother, Shabana, was informed about the death by the employer who asked her to remove the body from the premises where two of Fatima’s sisters were also employed.

    According to DIG Sukkur Javed Jiskani, the parents initially did not share the facts of the case with the police and claimed that the girl was suffering from gastroenteritis. While her diagnosis was also confirmed by Dr Abdul Fatah Memon who treated her, the DIG revealed that Fatima was taken to the hospital either by the Pir or his staff and that the SHO was present at the time she was pronounced dead.

    It was not until videos of the child were leaked by an unknown source and circulated in social media that the case caught the media’s eye. By then, the family had buried Fatima on August 15.

    The body was later exhumed and sent for an autopsy which revealed that the girl had been raped both vaginally and anally.

  • Father sentenced to death for raping daughter

    Father sentenced to death for raping daughter

    The Model Court for Sexual Violence in Lahore has awarded death sentence to Rafiq for raping his 14-year-old daughter.

    The verdict was read out by Judge Mian Shahid Javed. The court also ordered that the father should also pay Rs 10 lakh as compensation to the daughter, adding that in case of non-payment, the criminal will have to undergo another six months of imprisonment.

    The court directed the jail superintendent not to carry out the death sentence until confirmation from High Court.

    A case was registered against Rafiq back in in March 2019 by Satwa Katla police station.

  • Co-accused in Fatima case, Fayyaz Shah, rearrested for harboring criminals

    Co-accused in Fatima case, Fayyaz Shah, rearrested for harboring criminals

    Pir Fayyaz Shah, one of the suspects in the Fatima murder case, has been re-arrested today.

    The prosecution legal team has claimed that Fayyaz Shah has been arrested for two other pending cases filed against him after Fatima’s murder FIR was filed — one issue pertaining to a jirga and the other for harbouring criminals.

    A bench of the high court had granted Fayyaz Shah a six-day bail, ordering the police not to detain him in connection with the murder case of the child maid Fatima at the Ranipur Haveli.

    Following his arrest, Shah was relocated to an undisclosed location.

    Pir Fayyaz Shah is Asad Shah’s father-in-law, the owner of the mansion where Fatima died, and the father of the other suspect, Hina Shah. He has persistently claimed that Fatima died due to illness and the family had no involvement in the case. He claims that they are being targeted for political persecution.

    Earlier, Sindh High Court Hyderabad bench granted security bail of Rs50,000, while the decision on the bail of Hina Shah will be pronounced on September 26.

    Similarly, five-day physical remand of Asad Shah and Imtiaz Merasi were approved.

    Asad Shah and medical dispenser Imtiaz Merasi, accused in the Fatima murder case, were produced in the Anti-Terrorism Court.

    A 15-day physical remand was requested by the police, but the court granted a five-day physical remand and handed them over to CTD Sukkur.

    The accused were shifted to Sukkur CTD under tight security.

    Additionally, since the past one month, nothing, including the pin code of the mobile phone, could be recovered from the accused, Pir Shah.

    Fatima’s parents had expressed doubts over the performance of Khairpur police, on which IG Sindh handed over the accused to CTD’s DSP Abdul Qadoos.

    Caretaker Provincial Minister and IG Sindh visit Fatima’s house

    Caretaker Interior Minister Brigadier (retd) Haris Nawaz and IG Sindh visited village Khan Wahan of District Naushahro Feroze where they condoled with the father of deceased Fatima Phuriro.

    Nawaz said that he will ensure justice in Fatima’s case, giving instructions to the inquiry officer to complete the inquiry soon.

  • ‘Constellation’ of injuries found on Sara Sharif

    ‘Constellation’ of injuries found on Sara Sharif

    Sara Sharif’s father, stepmother and uncle appeared at the Old Bailey, Central Criminal Court of England on Tuesday. As per orders, they will face a murder trial next autumn.

    The father, Urfan Sharif; Sara’s stepmother, Beinash Batool, and Sara’s uncle, Faisal Malik, appeared in court via video link.

    The trio have been charged with “causing or allowing” Sara’s death.

    According to details provided in court, Sara had a “constellation” of healed and healing injuries including a broken collarbone, multiple rib fractures and a brain haemorrhage.

    Prosecutor Giles Bedloe stated that they are to continue to probe into how Sara died.

    Sharif, Batool, and Malik only spoke to confirm their names and dates of birth: 41, 29, and 28, respectively.

    They will now appear on December 1 for a plea hearing, and will stand trial in September 2024.

  • Autopsy reveals 10-year-old Fatima died of physical injuries

    Autopsy reveals 10-year-old Fatima died of physical injuries

    The post-mortem report of 10-year-old Fatima has been released, while the final post-mortem report has been submitted in the court of Judicial Magistrate, Ranipur.

    According to the autopsy report, Fatima died due to head and chest injuries, and she was not provided any treatment after being assaulted which eventually led to her demise.

    Marks of torture on her arm have also been identified.

    Fatima’s case

    A domestic maid, 10-year-old child Fatima Phuriro, was found dead under suspicious circumstances in Ranipur.

    The child had been working as a domestic worker at a haveli owned by an influential local, Pir Asad Shah Jilani.

    Fatima’s mother, Shabana, was informed about the death by the employer who asked her to remove the body from the premises where two of Fatima’s sisters were also employed.

    According to DIG Sukkur Javed Jiskani, the parents initially did not share the facts of the case with the police and claimed that the girl was suffering from gastroenteritis. While her diagnosis was also confirmed by Dr Abdul Fatah Memon who treated her, the DIG revealed that Fatima was taken to the hospital either by the Pir or his staff and that the SHO was present at the time she was pronounced dead.

    It was not until videos of the child were leaked by an unknown source and circulated in social media that the case caught the media’s eye. By then, the family had buried Fatima on August 15.

    The body was later exhumed and sent for an autopsy which revealed that the girl had been raped both vaginally and anally.

  • 10-year-old Fatima case: Pir Shahzeb in custody

    10-year-old Fatima case: Pir Shahzeb in custody

    The police have arrested Pir Syed Suraj Shah’s brother Pir Shahzeb Shah in the case of the death of 10-year-old Fatima.

    According to the police, Pir Syed Suraj Shah is the Gadinishin of Dargah Ghousia.

    Police say that Pir Shahzeb Shah is being investigated in relation to Hina Shah and her father, Fayaz Hussain Shah Jilani.

    Additionally, only a day after an investigating officer working on the case of the murder of 10-year-old Fatima in Khairpur, another officer has also been transferred.

    DSP Safiullah Solangi was appointed as the new investigating officer just a few days ago, however, he was removed the very next day and DSP CTD Abdul Qudous Kalhoro was appointed as the new investigating officer.

    Dissatisfied with the performance of the investigating officer Inspector Bachal Qazi, the Anti-Terrorism Court had ordered that an officer of DSP level should be appointed as the investigating officer.

    Earlier, the lawyer of the murdered girl had said in the court that the police are not cooperating, and that so far the pin code of the mobile phone has not been obtained from the main suspect, Pir Asad Shah.

    Fatima’s case

    A domestic maid, 10-year-old child Fatima Phuriro, was found dead under suspicious circumstances in Ranipur.

    The child had been working as a domestic worker at a haveli owned by an influential local, Pir Asad Shah Jilani.

    Fatima’s mother, Shabana, was informed about the death by the employer who asked her to remove the body from the premises where two of Fatima’s sisters were also employed.

    According to DIG Sukkur Javed Jiskani, the parents initially did not share the facts of the case with the police and claimed that the girl was suffering from gastroenteritis. While her diagnosis was also confirmed by Dr Abdul Fatah Memon who treated her, the DIG revealed that Fatima was taken to the hospital either by the Pir or his staff and that the SHO was present at the time she was pronounced dead.

    It was not until videos of the child were leaked by an unknown source and circulated in social media that the case caught media’s eye. By then, the family had buried Fatima on August 15.

    The body was later exhumed and sent for an autopsy which revealed that the girl had been raped both vaginally and anally.

  • 10-year-old Fatima case: Suspect Asad Shah appears in court

    10-year-old Fatima case: Suspect Asad Shah appears in court

    Pir Asad Shah, compounder Imtiaz and driver Ijaz were produced in an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in the rape and suspicious death of 10-year-old Fatima in Ranipur Haveli, Khairpur.

    The suspects were produced in the court after the completion of seven day physical remand.

    According to the Khairpur police, the investigation has not been completed yet, so they will seek further remand.

    Khairpur police has also said that Hina Shah and father Fayaz Shah, also accused in the case, are still on the run.

    Fatima’s case

    A domestic maid, 10-year-old child Fatima Phuriro, was found dead under suspicious circumstances in Ranipur.

    The child had been working as a domestic worker at a haveli owned by an influential local, Pir Asad Shah Jilani.

    Fatima’s mother, Shabana, was informed about the death by the employer who asked her to remove the body from the premises where two of Fatima’s sisters were also employed.

    According to DIG Sukkur Javed Jiskani, the parents initially did not share the facts of the case with the police and claimed that the girl was suffering from gastroenteritis. While her diagnosis was also confirmed by Dr Abdul Fatah Memon who treated her, the DIG revealed that Fatima was taken to the hospital either by the Pir or his staff and that the SHO was present at the time she was pronounced dead.

    It was not until videos of the child were leaked by an unknown source and circulated in social media that the case caught media’s eye. By then, the family had buried Fatima on August 15.

    The body was later exhumed and sent for an autopsy which revealed that the girl had been raped both vaginally and anally.