Protecting Farishtas

The murder of 10-year-old Farishta has caused public outcry and also shock at the unfeeling behaviour of the police all over the country. This is a good sign that our societal conscience is fully alive. Of course, there are some rotten eggs amongst us. Innocent Farishta disappeared from outside her home in Chak Shahzad locality of Islamabad on May 15 and four days later she was found murdered. Her father says that she was raped before she was killed, and that her body was in a very bad condition showing that acid was thrown on her.

Besides the murder and alleged rape, the unkindest cut of it all was the arrogant attitude of the area SHO and his subordinates. For three days, the girl’s father and family members kept visiting the area police station for registration of the case, but the SHO and some of his subordinates felt no compulsion in telling the girl’s father that “she might have eloped with someone”. The FIR was registered after a delay of four days on the intervention of an MNA. Action has been taken against the SHO and a few other cops.

Prime Minister Imran Khan has taken notice of the case and has asked for daily briefing. The DG ISPR, Major General Asif Ghafoor, too has taken notice of the case. So far some heads in the police department have rolled. The Senate panel on human rights has expressed shock at the negligence by the police. A television anchor caused both surprise and anger when he raised the question of the victim’s nationality. One wonders who allows such people to appear on television screens or even out of their homes.

We all know when Farishta ceased to be. She is in her grave and the difference to her family and to us all. Ten years she grew in sun and shower.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 27^th, 2019.

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