Feb 15, 2025
By Rana Malhi
ISLAMABAD
On February 11, 2025 – a 13-year-old domestic worker, Iqra, was allegedly subjected to inhumane torture by her employers in Rawalpindi’s Banni area. She was severely injured, taken to the hospital, and later succumbed to her wounds.
Iqra’s father, Sanaullah, a resident of Bhagat, District Mandi Bahauddin, revealed that his daughter had been working for nearly one year and ten months at the home of a man named Rashid Shafiq in Asghar Mall Scheme, Rawalpindi, for a monthly salary of PKR 8,000. Around 10 to 12 days ago, Iqra informed her father over the phone that her employer, Rashid Shafiq, and his wife, Sana, were torturing her and threatening to kill her. Due to financial constraints, her father could not immediately travel to Rawalpindi and continued to console his daughter.
Speaking to Voicepk.net over phone call, Sanaullah said that his daughter had been working for the couple for nearly two years. She had been removed from their house once but was sent back at their insistence. For the last three months, he had been unable to contact her. When he requested the employer’s husband for his wife’s number, it remained switched off. When he finally reached Rawalpindi, he was told that the couple had left the city and had taken Iqra with them, then he came back his home town.
On February 11, Sanaullah was informed that his daughter had been admitted to Holy Family Hospital in Rawalpindi in critical condition. Upon arrival with his relatives, he found Iqra severely injured. According to doctors, she had been brutally tortured, leaving multiple fractures in her body.
Upon receiving the report, the police arrived at the hospital and recorded the father’s statement. Sanaullah accused Rashid Shafiq and his wife of inflicting life-threatening torture on his daughter, illegally detaining her at home, and denying her medical treatment. He demanded strict legal action against the perpetrators. Following the initial medical report and investigation, police registered a case under Pakistan’s Penal Code and child protection laws.
The 12-year-old domestic worker fought for her life but ultimately succumbed to her injuries at Holy Family Hospital. According to police, the torture had taken place 4 to 5 days prior. Authorities took swift action, the police have taken Rashid Shafiq, his wife Sana, into custody, with further investigations underway. Iqra’s death, murder charges were added to the FIR. On thursday local court granted four days physical remand of accused couple.
Banni police also arrested a woman named Rubina Bibi, who had brought the injured Iqra to the hospital. According to SHO Raja Husnain Haider, Rubina had initially claimed that the girl had fallen from the roof. However, medical examinations revealed severe torture marks all over Iqra’s body, including a fractured skull, a broken leg, and multiple bruises on her ankles, arms, and torso.
Further police investigations revealed that Iqra had been accused of stealing chocolates belonging to Rashid Shafiq’s daughter. As punishment, she was subjected to brutal torture. When her condition worsened, Rubina was instructed to take her to the hospital and mislead the doctors about the actual cause of her injuries.
Meanwhile, a team led by District Officer Child Protection Bureau, Rao Khalil, visited Holy Family Hospital for assessment. Punjab Child Protection Bureau Chairperson and Provincial Assembly member Sarah Ahmed condemned the incident, calling it a tragic case that warranted the strictest legal action.
Pakistan has established several legal frameworks to protect children from abuse, exploitation, and violence. The Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) includes provisions like Section 328-A, which criminalizes violence against children, and Section 377, which imposes strict penalties for sexual abuse. These laws act as deterrents against crimes targeting minors. The Children Act 2017 further strengthens child protection by outlining measures to safeguard children from exploitation and abuse while providing legal support for victims. Additionally, the Juvenile Justice System Act 2018 ensures that minors in conflict with the law are treated fairly and rehabilitated rather than punished. The National Commission on the Rights of Child (NCRC) plays a vital role in monitoring violations of children’s rights, investigating cases, and recommending policy improvements to enforce these laws effectively. Together, these measures aim to uphold children’s rights and ensure their safety and well-being.