Tragic and horrifying incident in Pakistan where 13-year-old maid killed for stealing chocolates has once again brought attention to the grave issue of child labour and the abuse of domestic workers. The murder of Iqra, a young girl who had been working as a domestic helper for a couple in Rawalpindi, has sparked nationwide outrage.
Reports suggest that she was brutally tortured for allegedly stealing chocolates, leading to her untimely death. This case sheds light on the deep-rooted exploitation of vulnerable children in Pakistan, the legal loopholes that allow such abuse to continue, and the larger societal issues surrounding child labour.
The Tragic Story of Iqra and the Culture of Abuse
Iqra was just eight years old when she was forced to work as a maid due to her family’s financial struggles. Coming from an impoverished background, her father, a struggling farmer, had no choice but to send her into domestic service to help repay debts.
Over the years, she worked for multiple employers before being hired by a family in Rawalpindi, where she endured unimaginable suffering. Her employers, Rashid Shafiq and his wife Sana, had eight children of their own but still subjected Iqra to continuous abuse.
According to police reports, Iqra was accused of stealing chocolates, a seemingly trivial matter that led to severe torture. Her injuries were extensive, with multiple fractures in her legs and arms, as well as a critical head injury. Pictures and videos obtained by the media showcased the brutality she faced, sparking public outrage.
When she was finally taken to the hospital, she was unconscious and died shortly after arrival. The employer’s Quran teacher, who brought her to the hospital, reportedly told staff that her father had passed away and that her mother was not around—either due to a misunderstanding or an attempt to conceal the truth.
Read : Father kills 15-year-old Daughter In Pakistan for Making TikTok Videos
Iqra’s father, devastated by the loss of his daughter, has demanded justice. However, past cases of abuse against child maids in Pakistan have shown that justice is rarely served.
Despite laws prohibiting the employment of children under 15 as domestic workers in Punjab province, enforcement remains weak. Many cases of child abuse, even those that gain public attention, end up being settled out of court, with perpetrators walking free.
Legal Loopholes and the Failure to Protect Child Domestic Workers
The murder of Iqra has reignited discussions about the exploitation of child domestic workers in Pakistan. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), there are approximately 8.5 million domestic workers in Pakistan, with women and young girls forming the majority.
Unicef estimates that 3.3 million children in the country are engaged in child labour, often in hazardous and exploitative conditions. Despite the existence of child labour laws, enforcement remains lax, and perpetrators often evade justice through legal loopholes.
One of the biggest flaws in Pakistan’s legal system is the provision that allows victims or their families to “forgive” perpetrators in the name of God. While this concept is meant to promote reconciliation, in reality, it is often exploited.
Wealthy and influential individuals accused of serious crimes—including torture and murder—offer financial compensation to the victim’s family in exchange for a legal pardon. This practice makes it incredibly difficult to secure convictions in cases involving child abuse, especially when victims come from poor backgrounds.
The case of Iqra is not the first of its kind. In 2018, a judge and his wife were sentenced to three years in jail for torturing their 10-year-old maid, Tayyaba.
She suffered severe burns, cuts, and bruises on her face and body. However, their sentence was later reduced to just one year. Such leniency emboldens perpetrators and perpetuates the cycle of violence against child workers.
The failure of the legal system to provide justice for abused domestic workers reflects a deeper societal problem. Many wealthy families view child domestic workers as disposable, treating them as inferior beings who can be punished at will.
The normalization of violence against these children makes it difficult to challenge the status quo, leaving thousands of young workers vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.
A Call for Change: Ending Child Labour and Ensuring Justice
The death of Iqra should serve as a wake-up call for Pakistan. It is imperative that the government takes concrete steps to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Firstly, child labour laws must be strictly enforced, with severe punishments for those who employ underage domestic workers. The practice of settling cases out of court through financial compensation must also be reformed to ensure that justice is not dependent on a victim’s financial status.
Public awareness campaigns are crucial in changing societal attitudes towards child domestic workers. Many families in Pakistan continue to hire young maids, unaware or indifferent to the risks and exploitation involved.
A cultural shift is necessary to ensure that children are in schools rather than working in abusive environments. Additionally, support systems must be established for families in poverty so that they are not forced to send their children into domestic work.
International organizations, human rights activists, and local NGOs must continue to put pressure on the government to take action.
The widespread outrage following Iqra’s death must not fade into silence, as has happened with similar cases in the past. Those responsible for her death must be held accountable, and systemic changes must be made to prevent such atrocities from occurring again.
Iqra’s story is a heartbreaking reminder of the suffering endured by countless children trapped in domestic labour. Until Pakistan takes serious action against child exploitation and the mistreatment of domestic workers, tragedies like hers will continue to occur. Justice must be served, and meaningful reforms must be implemented to protect the nation’s most vulnerable children.