Woman attacked with acid in Lahore

Attack comes days after the Punjab Assembly unanimously passed the Protection of Women Against Violence Bill

LAHORE: Days after the Punjab Assembly unanimously passed the Protection of Women Against Violence Bill, unidentified men attacked with acid a 22-year-old woman in Lahore’s Harbans Pura neighbourhood late on Saturday night.

Unidentified men broke into the house of Amina Bibi, a resident of Salamat Colony in Harbans Pura area and threw acid on her, sources told The Express Tribune on Sunday. The attackers managed to flee after the assault.



Later, Amina’s family members rushed her to the Services Hospital in Lahore for emergency medical care where her condition was said to be critical.

Police arrived at the scene following the incident and an investigation commenced in the area.

Further, the victim’s family said they did not have any enmity with anyone and added that they did not file any formal complaint with the police regarding the incident.

Meanwhile, a local police officer denied the occurrence of the assault and said it was an incident of 'necromancy'. “There was no such acid throwing incident in the area but it’s rather a matter of necromancy. Someone tried to choke the girl to death,” Head Constable Asif said while talking to The Express Tribune.



Responding to a question about why the police did not take any action against the unidentified offenders, the official said the relatives of the victim have not filed any application against anybody so far.

Women in Pakistan have fought for their rights for decades, in a country where so-called honour killings and acid attacks remain commonplace.