In a shocking incident, a case of violence against a 14-year-old domestic worker in Islamabad has come to light, leading to the registration of a first information report (FIR). The victim, identified as Rizwana, was found in a severely wounded state at the residence of Civil Judge Asim Hafeez, who also serves as the administrative officer of the Islamabad Judicial Academy. Subsequently, an FIR has been filed against the judge and his wife by the victim’s father, Manga Khan.
According to the FIR, Rizwana had been sent to work at the judge’s residence through a relative, Chaudhry Mukhtar, with a fixed monthly salary of Rs10,000. The judge’s wife occasionally allowed her to speak with her parents over the phone. However, when the victim’s family recently went to visit her, they discovered her locked in a room with visible injury marks on her body, face, and arm.
Rizwana revealed that she was subjected to daily torture by the judge’s wife, Saumya. Distressed and injured, the girl was immediately taken to a hospital in Sargodha. Due to the severity of her condition, she was later transferred to Lahore for further medical attention. Hospital officials confirmed that her arms were fractured a few weeks before the incident, and due to lack of treatment, her fractured bones had started to heal improperly.
A CT scan was conducted to assess her head injury, revealing no signs of injury but disturbingly showing that her untreated wounds had been infested with maggots. To address her injuries, a 12-member medical board was formed at the General Hospital, headed by Prof Dr. Jodat Saleem, to oversee her treatment.
The case has sparked outrage, with authorities vowing to take swift action against the suspects. Islamabad police assured that efforts are underway to arrest the judge and his wife, and a thorough investigation will be carried out.
In light of this disturbing incident, the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau also visited Rizwana at the Lahore General Hospital to meet with her and her family. The bureau pledged to provide all necessary assistance and support for the victim’s treatment and well-being.
Caretaker Punjab Health Minister Dr. Javed Akram, who visited the hospital, expressed his concern and condemnation of the torture inflicted on the domestic worker for over six months. He emphasized the importance of enforcing laws to protect the rights of children and vowed that the suspects would be prosecuted according to the law.
This incident sheds light on the vulnerable position of domestic workers, especially minors, who often face exploitation and abuse in silence. It calls for a collective effort to strengthen the legal framework protecting the rights of domestic workers and ensure the strict implementation of these laws. It is essential for society to come together to protect its most vulnerable members and create an environment where such heinous acts are not tolerated.
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In the pursuit of justice, it is crucial to ensure that the suspects are held accountable for their actions and that Rizwana receives the best possible medical treatment and care to recover from her ordeal. Additionally, efforts should be made to raise awareness about the rights of domestic workers and provide them with proper legal protections to prevent similar incidents in the future. Only through collective action and vigilance can we create a safer and more compassionate society for everyone.
