A couple in north-east Pakistan has been apprehended on suspicion of murdering a 13-year-old girl, Iqra, who worked for them as a maid. She was allegedly accused of stealing chocolates.
Iqra succumbed to multiple injuries in the hospital last Wednesday. A preliminary police inquiry suggested that she had been tortured. Her killing has generated global indignation, with the hashtag #JusticeforIqra gaining tens of thousands of views. The case has revived a discussion about child labour and the maltreatment of domestic workers in Pakistan.
Though laws forbid it, child labour is still a regular problem in the nation. The case has made many people doubt the efficacy of these rules and the responsibility of companies who mistreat their employees. Many have also pointed out that Iqra was only one among thousands of child domestic servants living under challenging circumstances.
How Did Her Family Learn About Her Death?
Iqra’s father, Sana Ullah, said he was crushed upon learning of her passing.
“I felt completely shattered inside when she died,” he added.
He received a call from the police last Wednesday and was rushed to the hospital. When he arrived, he saw Iqra lying unconscious on a bed. She died just minutes later.
Her father talked of his sadness at losing his daughter, who had been put to work because of financial difficulties. The family is in grief over the incident; however, they still desire justice.
Why Was Iqra Working So Early in Life?
At eight years old, Iqra started her maid job. Her father, a 45-year-old farmer, explained that he had sent her to work due to his financial struggles and debt.
After working for a few other employers, she was recruited by the couple two years ago. With eight children of their own, the couple paid her roughly £23 ($28) every month.
The family had few options since many impoverished Pakistani homes depend on their children to support their daily needs. But Punjab’s child labour rules underscore the apparent discrepancy between the legal framework and the reality of suffering families since they forbid children under 15 from working as domestic workers.
What Created the Alleged Abuse?
According to police accounts, Iqra was accused of pilfering chocolates from her company. She had been routinely abused, according to a preliminary inquiry.
Along with severe head damage, photographic and video evidence revealed several fractures in her arms and legs. Police are waiting for the last medical report while an autopsy is being done to ascertain the whole degree of her injuries.
Additional research reveals that Iqra has suffered from long-term physical abuse. Neighbours and other domestic workers in the region have spoken about the exploitation of child maids, characterizing it as a prevalent issue that is generally neglected by authorities.
How has the public responded?
The case has infuriated and greatly worried people about child labour and domestic worker treatment. Activist Shehr Bano highlighted her pain, saying, “My heart cries tears of blood. Every day, for a meagre pay of a few thousand, how many… are exposed to violence in their homes? How long will the poor continue to lower their daughters into graves in this way?”
Many people on social media have shown indignation at the claimed occurrence of such a horrible crime over something so small.
One customer asked, "She died over chocolate?"
Another said, “This is not just a crime; it’s a reflection of [a] system that enables [the] rich to treat [the] poor as disposable.”
Public demonstrations demanding the rigorous application of child labour regulations have broken out throughout the nation. Some activists have called for harsher penalties against those who exploit and abuse domestic workers, especially minors.
Who has been taken under custody?
Iqra’s employers, Rashid Shafiq and his wife Sana have been brought into custody, along with a Quran teacher who worked for the family. After getting Iqra to the hospital, the teacher told the staff her mother was not there before leaving, and her father had passed away.
Police are still investigating whether she believed this information to be accurate.
Authorities are also probing if there were others involved in the crime. To find any trends of violence, investigators have been interviewing family members, neighbours, and other employees.
Will Justice Be Served?
Iqra’s father has requested that those responsible for his daughter’s killing be punished.
Though they usually cause indignation, these cases are often resolved out of court, and successful prosecutions remain rare.
This case has once again highlighted the need for greater enforcement of child labour laws and better protections for domestic workers in Pakistan. Human rights groups have demanded swift legislative changes as well as stricter penalties for individuals who mistreat and profit from helpless children.
Many are wondering now if this tragedy will become yet another forgotten story or if it will ultimately bring about significant transformation. The struggle for justice for Iqra keeps expanding as the inquiry goes on, with activists making sure her death was not in vain.
