April 7, 2025
By Iqra Manzoor
LAHORE
In a deeply disturbing case from Hujra Shah Muqeem in Okara, two minor girls aged 14 and 15—employed at a local beauty parlour—were subjected to repeated sexual abuse and blackmail by two men, identified as Ramesh and Ali Raza. The incident came to light following a complaint filed by the parlour owner, Sidra, prompting swift police action after which the accused were arrested.
A first information report (FIR) was registered under Section 376 (3) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), which pertains to the rape of minors or individuals with mental or physical disabilities. This section carries a punishment of death or life imprisonment, along with a monetary fine.
The Hujra Shah Muqeem police confirmed the immediate arrest of the suspects following the registration of the FIR. A police spokesperson revealed to Voicepk that the victims were known to the accused.
“Medical examinations confirmed that the assaults occurred before 72 hours, and there is strong suspicion that both girls were subjected to ongoing and repeated abuse,” the spokesperson said. “The victims and the culprits were living under the same roof (in a compound) and were nephews of the parlour owner’s husband.”
He further disclosed that one of the girls is a close relative of the owner, and reportedly been adopted by her. Both victims belong to financially struggling families, and were sent for training for beautician’s work.
The FIR states that one of the girls had been working there for five years, and the other for eight years, suggesting they began working there as young children. Police officials also suspect that the owner and her family were aware of the abuse but chose not to intervene. The issue came to light only after a family dispute surfaced.
“Both accused, aged 21 and 23, have claimed the relationships were consensual,” said the police spokesperson. “However, under Pakistani law, consent from minors is not legally valid. We arrested the suspects the same day the FIR was filed, and further investigation is underway. The court hearing is scheduled for tomorrow.”
Woman gang-raped in Gujrat
In another horrifying case, five men have been arrested for the gang rape of a newly married woman in Gujrat.
The survivor, a resident of Fattupura, was returning home after shopping on April 1 when two unidentified men abducted her near the Ladies’ and Children’s Park. She was taken to an outhouse on the city’s outskirts, where one man raped her before calling three others, who also repeatedly assaulted her.
Before abandoning her on Circular Road later that night, the assailants stole her mobile phone and Rs 18,000.
An FIR was registered under Sections 375-A, 365B, and 384 of the PPC, covering rape, abduction for sexual exploitation, and extortion.
Under the supervision of DPO Dr Mustansar Atta Bajwa and DSP City Aamir Shirazi, a special team led by SHO Aftab Bukhari successfully traced and arrested the suspects from Madina Syedan village, where they reportedly confessed to the crime.
Growing concern: Crimes against women and minors on the rise
These two incidents highlight the systemic vulnerability of women and minors in Pakistan, especially within low-income communities. The growing number of such cases signals an urgent need for stronger enforcement, community accountability, and institutional reforms to protect vulnerable groups.