A case of alleged gang rape involving a second-year student has been reported in the Alipur Chattha area of Wazirabad.
The chief minister has pledged that those responsible will be brought to justice.
Following the registration of the case, the police acted swiftly and arrested one of the two suspects. The search for the second suspect is ongoing.
The case was initiated based on a complaint filed by the victim’s father.
According to the father’s statement to the police, his daughter was kidnapped by the suspects when she went to college to take an exam.
She was subsequently subjected to gang rape, and the attackers recorded videos of the assault. The culprits later used the videos to blackmail her, repeatedly calling her.
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has taken notice of the incident, requesting a detailed report from the police chief and asserting that the perpetrators will face punishment.
Meanwhile, in the past year, Lahore has witnessed a concerning surge in sexual assaults, with 235 women falling victim to such heinous crimes. Shockingly, only half of these cases have resulted in formal complaints being filed, indicating significant under-reporting and a lack of trust in the justice system.
Over the last four months, the city has seen a disturbing trend, with 235 cases of sexual assault officially registered. However, apprehending the perpetrators has proven to be a formidable challenge for law enforcement agencies.
These distressing incidents have not only caused widespread societal outrage but have also raised significant concerns for the safety and well-being of women in the city. Many are left feeling vulnerable and fearful for their safety in public spaces.
Legal experts emphasize the arduous journey faced by survivors of sexual assault, from mustering the courage to report the crime to navigating the complex legal process.
Survivors often endure intrusive questioning and victim-blaming, both within the legal system and in society at large, further traumatizing them and dissuading others from coming forward.
Moreover, the impact of sexual assault extends far beyond the initial incident, affecting survivors’ personal and professional lives. Many face discrimination and stigma, experiencing difficulties in securing employment or finding suitable life partners due to societal prejudices.
I am an experienced writer, analyst, and author. My exposure in English journalism spans more than 28 years. In the past, I have been working with daily The Muslim (Lahore Bureau), daily Business Recorder (Lahore/Islamabad Bureaus), Daily Times, Islamabad, daily The Nation (Lahore and Karachi). With daily The Nation, I have served as Resident Editor, Karachi. Since 2009, I have been working as a Freelance Writer/Editor for American organizations.
