Violence against women continue unabated in Sindh | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Violence against women continue unabated in Sindh

JAMSHORO: Despite legislations to safeguard women’s rights and the government promises to end inhuman traditions discriminating against womenfolk, women continue to suffer in interior Sindh.

Recently, a girl, Saddori Kalhoro, resident of Tharo Shah, district Nosheheroferoz, was allegedly raped by her brother-in-law. However, the police failed to apprehend the accused. Subsequently, she threatened self immolation, and alleged that she has been receiving threats from her rapists.

The victim girl, Saddori Kalhoro, told newsmen that her brother-in-law ASI Nosheheroferoz police and Sajad Kalhoro raped and tortured her several times before kicking her out of her house.

“Now I’m receiving threats from the rapists after I disclosed my ordeal,” she alleged. She also alleged that her brother-in-law was conspiring to kill her on the pretext of Karo-Kari.

The victim alleged that recently her brother-in-law along with a group of armed men barged into the house of her auntie and made an abortive attempt on her life.

She appealed to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and the president and the chief justice of the Supreme Court to take notice and initiate action against her rapists, who have made her life miserable. She also threatened self immolation if the authorities failed to provide her justice.

In another case, a married girl, Basran, resident of village Dodo Birhamani of Katcha area, along with her paternal family stage a demonstration in front of the Dadu press club against torture and harassment by her brothers-in-law.

Basran told reporters that her husband, Saeed Birhmani, and his brothers allegedly tortured her. She alleged that her spouse and his relatives were forcing her to marry off her little daughters in Vatta Satta.

Meanwhile, different social and political organisations staged a protest demonstration against the Tando Rahim police for registering fake cases of kidnapping against Basran’s relatives on a fabricated application of her in-laws.

The protesters set ablaze tyres and announced that they would file a constitutional petition with the Sindh High Court. They also demanded that the fake cases be withdrawn forthwith.

In another incident a married woman was seriously injured in an attack allegedly by her husband due to delay in preparation of meal on Wednesday in Dadu.

Reportedly, Gul Shair Panhwar attacked his newly wed bride, Sagran Panwahar, with an axe in village Pir Gunaio, near Dadu, because she could not serve him meal on time.

Another victim of gang-rape, Zoyia, d/o Abdul Hakeem Shahook, has been receiving life threats from her rapists in village Jummo Shahook, near Halla.

The young Zoyia, resident of village Jummo Shahook, protested outside the local press club and alleged that three men — Zahid Shahook, Nawaz Ali Shahook and Rajab Shahook —- kidnapped her and subjected her to gang rape. She also alleged that her “rapists” were hurling life threats at her if she tried to seek justice against them.

The Halla police confirmed Zoyia has been gang-raped and claimed that the rapists would be arrested soon. The police also said the alleged rapists have fled their houses in the village. The police have been raiding different places to apprehend the accused.

Meanwhile, Zoyia’s grandfather, Muhammad Bachal Shahook, told reporters that some influential people of Matyari district have been pressuring them to agree to a Jirga-adjudicated settlement of the case. He alleged that these influential people were trying to save the accused rapists. However, he vowed that he would not budge and seek justice for his granddaughter.

The victim was, meanwhile, medically examined at a local hospital. A social organisation of Halla staged a protest demonstration against the gang rap case. It demanded that the accused be arrested immediately.
Source: The News
Date:5/3/2007