Men abduct and 'gang-rape' woman in Faisalabad

Culprits allegedly left woman outside a hospital

FAISALABAD: A woman, who was kidnapped three months ago, was allegedly gang-raped in Faisalabad, Express News reported on Friday.

Police said that victim S*, a resident of Gulshan Aziz Town, Jaranwala,  was abducted by accused Ghulam Murtaza, Amin and others around three months ago. The culprits allegedly gang-raped the woman and threw her outside Tehsil Headquarter Hospital in critical condition.

A nurse, Shafqat Bibi, who was on duty, saw the woman and informed the police. The police reached the spot and started investigations.

The police said a case related to the woman’s kidnapping was already registered at the police station. Further investigations are under way.

Earlier, a woman was raped in Gujranwala.

SA*, 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 

Published in The Express Tribune, November 17^th, 2018.