18.02.2025 17:21
A scandal has occurred in Pakistan, where there are 3.3 million child laborers. A 13-year-old girl working as a maid was tortured and killed by the owners of the house she worked for, on the accusation of stealing chocolate.
A couple in southeastern Pakistan has been arrested on charges of killing their 13-year-old maid for allegedly stealing chocolate.
The girl, named Ikra, succumbed to numerous injuries in the hospital last Wednesday. The initial police investigation revealed that Ikra had been tortured.
DEBATES ON CHILD LABOR REIGNITED IN THE COUNTRY
The incident in Rawalpindi sparked widespread outrage and reignited discussions about child labor and the mistreatment of domestic workers in the country. Laws regarding child labor can vary by region, but in Punjab province, children under the age of 15 cannot be employed as domestic workers.
Ikra's father, Sana Ullah, told the BBC, "Something inside me completely shattered when she died." He recounted receiving a phone call from the police last Wednesday, rushing to the hospital, and finding Ikra unconscious in bed. Ikra passed away a few minutes later.
WORKING SINCE THE AGE OF 8
Ikra had been working as a maid since she was 8 years old. Her 45-year-old farmer father stated that he sent his daughter to work because he was in debt. After working for several different employers, she began working for the couple, who have eight children, two years ago. She earned $28 a month.
EVIDENCE OF TORTURE AND ABUSE EXISTS
The police stated that Ikra was accused of stealing chocolate by the couple and announced that they had determined the child had been tortured during the initial investigation. The police also reported that there was evidence of abuse. Videos and photos obtained by the BBC show fractures on Ikra's arms and legs, as well as a serious injury to her head. The police noted that an autopsy had been conducted and they were awaiting the forensic report.
Activist Shehr Bano wrote on the X platform, "My heart is bleeding. For a few thousand rupees, how many children are subjected to violence in homes for trivial work? How much longer will the poor bury their daughters like this?" Other social media users also highlighted the claim that the murder was committed over something so trivial. One user asked, "Did she die over a piece of chocolate?" while another stated, "This is not just a crime; it reflects a system where the rich see the poor as expendable."
TEACHER WORKING FOR THE FAMILY ALSO ARRESTED
Ikra's employers, Rashid Shafiq and his wife Sana, were arrested along with a teacher who also worked for the family. The teacher had taken Ikra to the hospital and told the doctors that the girl's father was dead and her mother was missing.
Ikra's father also expressed that he wanted to see those responsible for his daughter's death punished.
SUCH INCIDENTS ARE RESOLVED THROUGH COMPROMISE IN THE COUNTRY
Despite the outrage these types of cases generate, they are often resolved through compromise outside of court, and suspects are rarely fully prosecuted. In 2018, a judge and his wife received a three-year prison sentence for torturing their 10-year-old maid. However, despite the public outrage, their sentences were later reduced to one year.
A child named Tayyibe was found severely injured, and the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences reported that the child had burns on her hands and feet. Tayyibe's photos showed cuts, bruises, and swelling around her left eye. The child recounted to prosecutors that she was beaten for losing a broom.
FAMILIES HAVE THE RIGHT TO FORGIVE SUSPECTS
Under Pakistani law, victims and their families have the right to forgive suspects in certain serious crimes. To do this, they must state in court that they "forgive in the name of Allah." However, observers say that the main motivation for "forgiveness" is often money, and that compensating victims is not against the law.
According to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), there are 3.3 million child laborers in Pakistan. The International Labour Organization (ILO) also states that a significant majority of the 8.5 million domestic workers in the country are women and girls.