Islamabad, August 18, 2023 — In a disturbing incident that has sparked outrage, a 14-year-old housemaid named Rizwana has recounted the harrowing details of the torture she endured at the hands of Soumia, the wife of a civil judge in Islamabad. The local police have recorded Rizwana’s statement as part of the ongoing investigation into the case.
Rizwana’s testimony sheds light on the shocking cruelty she suffered on a daily basis. She described how she was subjected to brutal beatings using sticks and iron rods by Soumia, leaving her with visible injuries and scars. The ordeal took an even darker turn when her landlady reportedly slammed her head against the wall in fits of anger. To compound her suffering, Rizwana shared that she was confined to a room for weeks, effectively imprisoned by the judge’s family.
“I was not allowed to meet my parents. The only contact I had with them was through phone calls, closely monitored by my landlady,” Rizwana said tearfully during her police statement. Her voice trembled as she recounted the pain and isolation she endured.
Even more concerning is the revelation that Rizwana was explicitly instructed not to disclose the torture to her parents. Additionally, despite the physical harm inflicted upon her, she was denied necessary medical attention. The shocking nature of her testimony has stirred public outrage and calls for justice.
The incident came to light when Rizwana’s parents filed a complaint with the local police, leading to the initiation of an investigation into the matter. Soumia, the alleged perpetrator of the abuse, was arrested and subsequently denied bail by an Islamabad court.
The background of the case reveals that Rizwana had been working as a domestic servant in the house of Civil Judge Asim Hafeez and his wife Soumia for a span of six months. The allegations of torture emerged after Soumia accused Rizwana of stealing gold jewelry. This accusation, however, appears to have been a catalyst for a pattern of systemic abuse that the young girl faced during her time in their employ.
Furthermore, Rizwana’s family has stated that they did not receive any payment for her work as a maid, highlighting another concerning aspect of the case.
Read more: Judge’s Wife Arrested on Court Orders in Rizwana Torture Case
The case has not only raised questions about the treatment of domestic workers but has also drawn attention to the need for better safeguards and regulations to protect vulnerable individuals from such exploitation and abuse.
As the investigation unfolds, the public remains keenly attentive to the developments in the case, hoping for justice to be served and for measures to be put in place to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
