Woman suffers acid attack after divorce

Rozina was on her way to visit relatives with her sister when the incident occurred on Talab Road.


Kamran Khan/riaz Ahmad October 20, 2012

PESHAWAR:


In the second such attack in a week, a man threw acid on his former wife, leaving her face disfigured. 


This was the 34th reported case of acid throwing in the province and 84th nationwide this year, according to the Acid Survivor Foundation (ASF).

Rozina was rushed to the Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) on Thursday after her ex-husband Tahir Zaman and his mother allegedly threw acid on her face in retaliation for their recent divorce. Rozina was admitted to the burns unit in LRH.

“They threw acid at her face and severely burnt her face and chest,” said a policeman, talking to The Express Tribune. Both the accused escaped but an FIR has been registered against them and investigations are underway, he added.

Rozina was on her way to visit relatives with her sister when the incident occurred on Talab Road, Nothia, in the jurisdiction of Gulberg police.

Several months ago, Rozina had filed a petition in the family court wanting a divorce from Zaman. After a series of hearings, which also lasted for months, the court finally decided in Rozina’s favour. Tahir was very upset at the news of his divorce and conspired with his mother Jamlu Bibi to attack Rozina.

The victim’s family declined to comment on the matter and was busy in treating her.

According to a report by the Islamabad-based NGO ASF, 45% of acid attacks occurred over family disputes, while 17% were caused over rejecting marriage proposals this year. Last year, 150 people suffered acid attacks across Pakistan, with 30 cases reported in Mardan -the highest in any district.

ASF Pakistan’s Chairperson Valerie Khan Yousafzai told The Express Tribune that many cases go unreported due to security risks. It is imperative that the provincial government legislate on the issue to protect the victims.

A collective response

Qamar Naseem, the programme coordinator for End Violence Against Women/Girls Alliance, said that ASF and other donor agencies will hold a meeting in Islamabad over the increasing incidents of acid attacks. A plan has been prepared to support treatment, including surgeries, for the victims.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 20th, 2012.

COMMENTS (8)

plz | 11 years ago | Reply

@Kanwal: You make a lot of sense. Congrats!

Suliman | 11 years ago | Reply @Sabih Shad: It has been clearly stated that police registered an FIR.
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