Police 'shield' suspect in torture case

Viral video shows maid brutally beaten over unpaid salary

ISLAMABAD:

Police have come under criticism for allegedly shielding the main accused in a domestic worker torture case in Sector E-11/2, Shalimar Police Station limits, by arresting only his driver instead.

According to details, a video went viral on social media showing brutal torture on a young maid working at a third-floor apartment in the Doctors' Society, E-11/2. Islamabad police took notice, and the victim, identified as Iram Shehzadi, recorded her statement.

She said she had been working at the apartment of a man named Zahid but had quit the job 15 days earlier because he was not paying her wages. When she later called Zahid to demand her salary, he asked her to come to the flat. Upon her arrival, Zahid's driver, Umar, allegedly appeared brandishing a pistol. When she refused to enter the flat, he reportedly kicked, punched, and beat her with the pistol's butt, leaving her badly injured. The assault severely damaged one of her eyes, causing partial loss of vision. The attackers fled the scene afterward.

Shalimar police subsequently registered a case and arrested Zahid's driver, Umar. However, the main accused, Zahid—allegedly the one who instigated the assault—was not nominated as a primary suspect in the FIR.

Commenting on the incident, DIG Operations Muhammad Jawad Tariq stated that Islamabad police would not show any leniency in cases involving violence against women and children.