Domestic worker allegedly beaten to death in Hafizabad

A 23-year-old domestic worker in Hafizabad's Akhtar Town allegedly died from torture and was buried without a post-mortem examination.

Police and local sources said, the victim, Waseem Riaz, a resident of Rahgo Sayedan village, was employed at the home of Syed Najamul Hassan Shirazi.

Waseem's condition reportedly deteriorated following torture and he died while being taken to a hospital in Lahore.

In a dying declaration, Waseem claimed he had been mercilessly beaten and thrown onto the roof of the house.

He also urged that his parents and sisters be looked after.

The body was transported to the DHQ Hospital Hafizabad for a post-mortem, but despite hours of waiting in an ambulance and protests from family members, no examination was conducted. The body was later buried overnight without an autopsy.

The case drew the attention of Punjab Inspector General of Police, who sought a detailed report from the RPO Gujranwala. District Police Officer Hafizabad Atif Nazir ordered an inquiry under DSP Sadar Rana Jamil Qaiser, directing that the investigation be completed within 24 hours.

The DPO assured that strict legal action would be taken against those responsible, without any discrimination.

Local social activists condemned the failure to carry out the post-mortem despite the victim's dying statement, calling it a grave lapse that could impede the determination of the actual cause of death.