A horrific attack on a young Christian mother has once again exposed the severe forms of persecution experienced by religious minorities in Pakistan. On June 11th, Sheeza Bibi was brutally raped by three men while her three-year-old daughter, Dua, watched in terror. The incident was clearly premeditated.
The assailants – Muhammad Mohsin, Zahid Gujjar and Muhammad Arslan – deceived Sheeza's husband, Intekhab Alam, by sending him to collect a courier parcel from a town located over an hour away from his home in Sangla Hill. While he was away, the three men entered the Christians' residence and took turns sexually assaulting Sheeza in front of her daughter.
Upon discovering that there was no parcel, Intekhab returned home to find his wife and daughter in tears. When the Christian man learned what had happened, he and Sheeza immediately went to the local police station to report the crime. However, instead of receiving protection and justice, the believers were met with humiliation and violence. After refusing to take the Christians' statement, the station's police officers physically assaulted the married couple and forced them to leave.
The next day, the believers returned to the police station and reattempted to file a report. This time, Sheeza was sent to the hospital for a medical examination, but no doctor was available. Police then instructed the Christians to return home and wait to be contacted. However, after more than a week passed with no response from the authorities, they returned to the station on June 21st. Despite enduring verbal abuse from the sub-inspector, Sheeza and Intekhab were finally able to submit their report, and the three perpetrators were arrested the following day.
Despite the arrests, the distraught Christians have continually received pressure to drop the case. One police constable offered the young couple money to withdraw their complaint, which they refused. For their safety, these believers have since gone into hiding. The couple's young daughter, Dua, remains traumatized by the event, crying whenever Intekhab leaves the room. Human rights advocates are presently working to provide the family with a safe location, daily necessities, trauma counselling and legal assistance.
Christian women in Pakistan face oppression on multiple fronts. Many are targeted not only for their faith but also for their gender, and they often receive little to no protection or support from the authorities nor the judicial system. For previous reports addressing the suffering of our Pakistani sisters in Christ, and their families, visit our country profile.
- Please remember Sheeza, Intekhab and Dua in your prayers as they now recover from the emotional and physical wounds caused by the traumatic attacks, asking the Lord to minister His healing, comfort and peace in each of their lives.
- As this suffering family remains in hiding, pray that they will be surrounded by our Heavenly Father's loving presence and divinely protected from further harm.
- May justice prevail in this case – along with the many other situations in which violations have been committed against Pakistan's Christians – and may the perpetrators of such crimes be held accountable.
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