13-Year-Old Domestic Worker Tortured to Death in Rawalpindi
A harrowing case of child abuse and murder has surfaced in Rawalpindi, where a 13-year-old girl, Iqra, lost her life after being brutally tortured by her employers.
Iqra, daughter of Sanaullah from Sargodha, had been working as a domestic worker at the residence of Rashid Shafiq in the Asghar Mall Scheme, Rawalpindi, for nearly two years. Her parents, who work in Gujarat, had left her in the custody of Rashid and his wife, Sana, under an arrangement of Rs. 8,000 per month.
According to initial reports, Rashid and Sana frequently abused and mistreated Iqra. The tragic incident occurred when Iqra allegedly ate chocolate belonging to the couple’s daughter. Enraged, Sana mercilessly beat the girl with sticks, causing severe head injuries and rendering her unconscious. Instead of seeking immediate medical assistance, the couple kept Iqra in critical condition at home for four to five days.
As Iqra’s condition worsened, the couple handed her over to a woman named Rubina, who took her to Benazir Bhutto Hospital in Rawalpindi. Upon medical examination, doctors confirmed that Iqra had been subjected to extreme physical torture and promptly reported the case to the police.
Initially, Rubina attempted to mislead authorities by fabricating a story that Iqra had fallen down the stairs and that her father was deceased while her mother was in iddat. However, under police interrogation, she revealed the names of Rashid Shafiq and his wife, Sana, as the perpetrators.
With her condition deteriorating, Iqra was transferred to Holy Family Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries. Her grieving parents, who rushed from Gujarat, were present at the hospital when she passed away. Following a post-mortem examination, her body was handed over to her family, who took her back to Sargodha for burial.
Upon learning about the horrific incident, CPO Rawalpindi, Syed Khalid Hamdani, took immediate notice and directed strict action against the accused. The Bani Police Station swiftly detained Rashid and Sana, registering an FIR against them.
The tragic case has once again highlighted the plight of child domestic workers in Pakistan, raising serious concerns over their safety and protection. Authorities are expected to ensure a thorough investigation and justice for the innocent victim.
SPARC Condemns Violence Against Child Workers
This case is not an isolated incident. In Pakistan, thousands of children—many as young as five—are forced into domestic labor, enduring physical abuse, starvation, and even death at the hands of their employers. Over 12 million children are engaged in child labor, with a significant number working as domestic helpers behind closed doors, where their suffering remains hidden.
One of the most horrifying recent cases was that of 10-year-old Fatima Furiro, who was brutally tortured and murdered at the residence of Pir Asad Shah Jeelani in Ranipur, Sindh. The tragic incident came to light in August 2023 after disturbing video footage showed Fatima’s frail body, covered in bruises, as she struggled to sit up before collapsing. The brutality sparked nationwide outrage, leading to the arrest of the influential Pir Asad and his wife. However, justice now hangs in the balance as Fatima’s mother has filed for the dismissal of the case, reportedly due to pressure and coercion from powerful figures. This tragic pattern of injustice through settlements has become a recurring theme in cases of child domestic labor abuse in Pakistan.
13-year-old Rizwana, another child domestic worker, was beaten and starved by the wife of a senior judge in Islamabad. She suffered multiple broken bones, internal injuries, and severe malnutrition before being rescued. Similarly, 10-year-old Tayyaba endured months of torture at the hands of a judge and his wife in Islamabad, before finally being freed after public pressure mounted against the perpetrators. Despite occasional convictions, many cases never see justice, as powerful employers manipulate the legal system, silence victims’ families, or exploit legal loopholes.
The murder and abuse of minors must be declared non-compoundable offenses, preventing powerful figures from escaping justice through settlements. Laws protecting children, such as the Punjab Domestic Workers Act, Sindh Prohibition of Employment of Children Act, and KP Child Protection Act, must be strictly enforced, and child workers must be rescued and rehabilitated with access to education, healthcare, and legal protection.
Each case of torture, abuse, and murder of child domestic workers exposes the moral and legal failure of the system. The cycle of violence will not end unless the government, civil society, and the public take a firm stand against child exploitation. The question remains: How many more Fatimas, Rizwanas, and Tayyabas will suffer before Pakistan wakes up to protect its children?
