Woman rescued 18 months after abduction

20-year-old survivor alleges torture, rape, confinement

KARACHI:

In a case that underscores the persistent dangers women face in both online and real-world spaces, 20-year-old Yusra was reunited with her family after allegedly being abducted and held captive for a year and a half. She recounted the harrowing abuse she faced, including physical torture, rape, and forced isolation — allegedly at the hands of her abductor and his mother when Minister for Women Development Shahina Sher Ali visited her on Saturday. Authorities have arrested the suspect, and the case is now under investigation. The minister was accompanied by MQM-P's local Sindh Assembly member Ejaz-ul-Haq.

Sharing her ordeal, Yusra told the minister that she had allegedly been abducted about 18 months ago after establishing contact with the accused on TikTok. She said that her alleged abductor, Hamza, along with his mother, subjected her to severe violence and intimidation, keeping her in illegal confinement. Yusra further said that Hamza forced her into a fake marriage contract and repeatedly assaulted her sexually.

She recounted that after one and a-half-year, she somehow managed to secretly contact a relative -whose phone number she had memorised - informing them of the abuse. Following this she was recovered by the police.

Minister Shahina said that police have arrested the accused Hamza, registered a case, and launched further investigation into all aspects of the incident. She assured Yusra's family that the government would provide full legal support. The minister claimed that the Sindh government has a clear zero-tolerance policy against violence and crimes against women and girls, and perpetrators will face strict punishment.

Man held for raping, murdering minor girls

A key suspect involved in the abduction, sexual assault, and murder of minor girls in the city has been arrested. The accused, Shehzad alias Faizo, is believed to be a member of the notorious Lyari-based Imran Kalu gang.

Shehzad has confessed to abducting schoolgirls, holding them captive for 20 to 25 days, repeatedly raping them, and then murdering them to destroy evidence. Police confirmed that the suspect has a prior criminal record and has previously been imprisoned in multiple cases.

According to the police spokesperson, Shehzad was apprehended during an intelligence-based operation in the Kharadar area. He had previously escaped during a police encounter two days earlier, while one of his accomplices was injured and arrested on the spot. A firearm used in the crimes was also recovered from the accused.

The accused has been handed over to the investigation department for further legal proceedings. Police say more arrests may follow as the investigation continues.