Lahore: Anum Bibi aged 8, a Christian child faced sexual abuse, rape and mental torture by a Muslim man Mohammad Awais aged 22. The poor girl went to the fields along with her parents and younger brother Atif Masih 10 year old to work where she become the victim of brutal incident of rape on Sunday May 02, 2021. She was threatened for life by the inhuman and cruel man who forcedly raped her and left the girl crying in pains. The aggrieved parents found the girl fainted in the fields and took her to the Mother and Child Hospital Sheikhupura.

The local police is actively involved and case FIR no.431/21 has been registered in the local police station Bhikhi Sheikhupura offence under section 376 iii PPC against the accused Mohammad Awais on the notice of Mr. Gulam Mubashar DPO Sheikhupura. The same evening Mr. Talat Mehmood SHO Bhikhi made a number of raids at the different places in the village and arrested the accused and sends him to the jail after he admitted the crime on May 03, 2021. The initial medico legal report has been confirmed a brutal rape attempt to Anum Bibi a minor.

CTS local resource Pastor Amir Shahzad president Grace Pastor Alliance Sheikhupura, informed about the incident and the team visited Anum Bibi on May 3, 2021 in the hospital for the solidarity and support of poor parents. The second day on May 4, 2021 Katherine Sapna Executive Director CTS and team visited Anum Bibi in the Hospital. Her parents cried for CTS help in this hard time as they are in the need of Anum’s medical expenses and complete treatment in the hospital. They also requested CTS for legal assistance to get justice for brutal rape of their beloved daughter.

Anum Bibi is resident of village Kurlikay, Sheikhupura Punjab, she has six siblings, and altogether they are seven. Her father Allah Dittah and mother Rehana Bibi works in a bricks factory, earning low therefore they also work in the fields to get extra money for their daily bread.   

Allah Dittah Masih narrated the incident and informed the team that he along with wife Rehana, daughter Anum Bibi and son Atif Masih was working in the field on Sunday May 02, 2021 at about 2:00 pm in the afternoon. Anum and Atif went to fetch water for all of them; they took time in returning back, after an hour Atif returned alone and informed about the incident. He said that Mohammad Awais took Anum in to the other fields forcedly; he beat him severely for helping Anum. The parents rushed to save Anum, meanwhile Mohammad Awais raped the girl and left her helpless.

According to her parents Anum Bibi was fainted, she was bleeding and the parents took her to the hospital emergency where doctors did not cooperate to provide medical treatment to this helpless child. Through the media highlight the local police got involved in the case and she was given medical assistance and also the legal case lodged.

It was really painful to see Anum Bibi in the emergency ward / Labor Room of Motther & Child Sheikhupura said Katherine Sapna. It was very clear to see violence marks on the different parts of her body and she was still in fear of life that Mohammad Awais attempt to murder her after rape. Anum Bibi is still in trauma.   

Katherine Sapna also met the doctor who is dealing with Anum’s case, she informed that the child was in critical condition when came to the hospital, if she is not treated on time she could be expired. The doctor said that she has been given proper medication and treatment and she is safe from future consequences regarding this rape attempt. But she recommended well counseling, mental therapy and psychosocial treatment for relief and mental peace of Anum Bibi for her better survival.

CTS has assured Allah Ditta (victim’s father) for providing complete assistance including medical assistance for gynecological treatment and trauma counseling, legal aid to get justice and resettlement of the family because of life threats by the accused and his family.

Katherine Sapna Executive Director of Christians’ True Spirit – CTS is concerned about the continuous increase in sexual violence, kidnapping and forced conversions against young Christian girls and most of them are underage and minor.