14-year-old girl ‘raped’ in Faisalabad

HRCP report states sexual abuse incidents have doubled since 2014

FAISALABAD:  

 

A 14-year-old girl was allegedly raped in Tandlianwala City police precincts on Wednesday.

A police official told Express News that the victim’s brother lodged a complaint at the police station in which he stated that his sister R* went to the fields when accused Abdullah and his friend abducted her.

He added that the culprits allegedly sexually assaulted her. However, when the victim raised a hue and cry, the accused fled the scene leaving her in the fields.

He demanded the police and authorities concerned arrest the culprits and award them stern punishment.

Meanwhile, Tandlianwala police have registered a case against the accused and started investigations.

Earlier, a 13-year-old boy was sexually assaulted in Mianwali. The police said the victim went to Pai Khel station to buy groceries. However, when he did not return home, his brother went looking for him.

Upon hearing screams from the fields, the victim’s brother rushed to the spot and found accused Ziaullah sexually assaulting the boy.

Rape cases in Pakistan are increasing and yet the victims face discrimination stemming from stereotypes and a hostile social system.

In 2016, the country was ranked 10th in the world with respect to the frequency of rape. In 2017, Pakistan stood 6th, according to a fact sheet compiled by the Pakistani Nari Tehreek (PNT), which has more than 100 women’s rights organisations as its members.

Earlier, a report released by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) stated that incidents of rape had been doubling every year since 2014. It said 370 rape incidents were reported from across the country in 2014 and this rose to 772 in 2015 and to 1,582 in 2016.

*Name withheld to protect identity