June 16, 2025
By Iqra Manzoor
LAHORE
Punjab’s Hafizabad has recorded another dreadful crime within the span of a month, where a 14-year-old girl with multiple congenital disabilities was reportedly raped for months, and left impregnated. The police claim they are trying to arrest the accused, identified as Muhammad Javaid.
Grave violation of rights of a child with disabilities
The survivor, who cannot speak, hear, or walk, and is also mentally impaired and unconscious, was discovered to be five to six months pregnant during a medical examination. Her family, living in extreme poverty and lacking formal education, said they were unaware of the assault due to their daughter’s physical and mental condition.
An FIR (No. 1152/25) was registered on June 14 under Section 376(iii) of the Pakistan Penal Code. This section pertains to sexual assault against minors and persons with physical or mental disabilities, and carries a sentence of either the death penalty or life imprisonment along with a fine.
The FIR stated that the girl is a minor with congenital disabilities, unable to speak, hear or walk, and is also mentally immature and unconscious and was not feeling well and upon visiting the doctor, the doctor told her parents that she is 5 to 6 months pregnant.
According to the FIR, Muhammad Javaid, a neighbour, raped the victim about 6 months ago. Her parents stated in the FIR that they belonged to a poor and illiterate family and were unable to learn about the incident due to their daughter’s physical condition.
Rana Sultan Mehmood, who filed the complaint, spoke to Voicepk. He said, “The accused was arrested and has admitted his crime.”
He further added, “The child is still under medical examination and the DNA test of the accused will be conducted. Police and district administration have been cooperative throughout the investigation and timely arrested the accused. The Assistant Commissioner also met the parents of the child and extended full support from the district administration.”
He added, “The poor parents of the girl child want justice.”
Abuser was a trusted visitor
The FIR states that the accused assaulted the girl approximately six months ago. Mehmood further told Voicepk, “The accused lives in the neighborhood and used to visit the family frequently. The victim’s family belong to a very humble background and are illiterate. They collect goods from different places and that is how they have been surviving.”
Police sources also confirmed that the suspect, Muhammad Javaid, was arrested and remains in custody while further legal proceedings are underway. “The complete details will only be confirmed once the DNA reports establish whether Muhammad Javaid is responsible, as the incident occurred approximately six months ago,” the source added.
While some police sources and the complainant have claimed that the suspect has been taken into custody, District Police Officer (DPO) Hafizabad, Atif Nazir, denied any arrest. “The accused has not been arrested, but the police are making every possible effort to apprehend him as soon as possible,” he told Voicepk.
He added that the Deputy Commissioner and he are closely monitoring the case. “The minor girl has been admitted to the hospital and is currently under medical supervision. Doctors have advised against DNA testing at this stage due to the girl’s six to seven months of pregnancy,” he said.
Commenting on the nature of the relationship between the suspect and the victim’s family, DPO Nazir stated, “The accused was a frequent visitor to the family. He and the victim’s father were engaged in the same line of work—collecting goods—and it was under this familiarity that the accused managed to commit this heinous crime.”
Heart-wrenching videos of the survivor and her parents have been circulating on social media, showing the family surrounded by piles of garbage. The girl, visibly frail and unable to comprehend her surroundings, appears unable to stand unaided.
“My daughter is physically and mentally challenged, we do not have any house,” her father told the media.
This case adds to the alarming number of child sexual abuse incidents reported in Pakistan. According to Sahil’s Six Months Cruel Numbers report, 1,630 cases of child abuse were reported in the media across the country in 2023. In just the first half of 2024, the report documented 862 cases of child sexual abuse, 668 abductions, 82 missing children, 18 child marriages, and 48 cases involving post-assault pornography. It is to be noted that Sahil acknowledges that the data compiled by the organization only scratches the surface and that the actual number of cases might be higher than the reported cases in the media.