Suitor attacks teacher with acid

Two schoolchildren also injured by motorcyclist

VEHARI:

A school teacher and her two students were injured in an acid attack in Vehari on Saturday.

Ashfaq had been relentlessly pursuing a school teacher, pressuring her to marry him. When she declined his proposal, Ashfaq became infuriated. On the fateful day of the incident, as the teacher was on her way to school, Ashfaq and an accomplice approached her on a motorcycle, where he callously threw acid on her.

The victims suffered severe burns and were rushed to DHQ Hospital Vehari for immediate medical treatment.

Local residents apprehended the assailant and handed him over to the police station in Daniwal.

Abdul Sattar, the father of the school teacher, disclosed that Ashfaq had previously subjected both his daughter and son to threats and harassment involving acid attacks.

He had lodged two formal complaints with the Daniwal police station, but regrettably, no substantial action had been taken to address the situation.

The Daniwal police have registered a case against the acid attack perpetrator.

The case has been recorded under FIR number 1113/23, invoking Sections 336-B, 109, and 7-ATA, marking the initiation of comprehensive legal proceedings against the accused.

Additionally, the police are actively conducting raids to apprehend the second suspect believed to be involved in this abhorrent assault.

District Police Officer Essa Sukhera has offered reassurance that the victimized woman will receive unwavering justice, with stringent legal measures to be enforced against all those responsible for this heinous crime.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for effective measures to combat acid attacks and violence against women in Pakistan. It underscores the devastating consequences of unchecked harassment and threats, highlighting the profound impact on the lives of survivors and their families.

Civil society organisations and activists have long advocated for stronger legal frameworks and increased awareness to prevent acid attacks and support survivors.

The father of the victim said that the authorities must prioritiae the safety and well-being of women and children and work towards creating an environment where such horrific acts are met with zero-tolerance.

As the investigation into this appalling incident progresses, there is a collective hope that justice will be served, and steps will be taken to prevent such tragedies from recurring in the future. The resilience of survivors like the schoolteacher serves as a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the unwavering determination to overcome adversity.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 8^th, 2023.