Woman allegedly gang-raped in Faisalabad

Culprits locked the victim in a room and committed the offence

FAISALABAD:  

A woman was allegedly gang-raped in Jhang Bazaar police limits, Faisalabad on Wednesday.

Victim A*, a resident of Aziz Fatima Road, Akbar Chowk, told the police that Amir Sajjad was an old friend of her husband and they had good relations with him.

She added that a few days ago, Amir visited their home and told her that he could help them get a house in Naya Pakistan Scheme and for the purpose she had to accompany him to submit the form in the bank. A* maintained that she believed in the accused and went with him in a vehicle.

She revealed that the accused took her to a house in Jhang Bazaar where two of his accomplices, Muhammad Naeem and an unidentified man, were waiting for them.

She lamented that the culprits locked her in a room and allegedly gang-raped her. The victim said after the incident, the suspects dumped her at Legal Road in an unconscious condition and fled the scene.

A case no 885/18 was registered against the suspects under section 376 on the complaint of the victim and raids were conducted to arrest him. Further investigations are under way.

Earlier, a woman was raped in Gujranwala. S*, a resident of Fort Abbas, went to meet her relatives in Jandiala Baghwala area. While she was on her way, accused Muhammad Zaman abducted her and took her to an abandoned house. The culprit allegedly raped her and fled after committing the offence.

In recent months, cases of sexual abuse have been on the rise across Punjab. Despite these incidents occurring on a daily basis, the government’s counter measures have been largely disappointing. Most cases have been reported from Faisalabad, Rahim Yar Khan, Gujranwala and other parts of the province. The victims include women and minor girls or boys.

A report issued by NGO Sahil revealed that the highest incidents of sexual abuse involving children were recorded in Punjab. Earlier, Sahil executive director Manizeh Bano said the sexual exploitation of women and children across Punjab had been reported over many years.

She added hundreds of rape cases have been identified, but only a few victims have come forward to seek justice.

*Name withheld to protect identity