Pakistani Couple Arrested for Beating 13-Year-Old Housemaid to Death

rawalpindi - An Pakistani couple has been arrested for beating their 13-year-old housemaid to death over an alleged chocolate theft.

Tragic Incident:

An Pakistani couple has been arrested for beating their 13-year-old housemaid to death in Rawalpindi. The girl, Iqra, succumbed to her injuries in the hospital after being severely beaten by the couple, who also allegedly tortured her. The incident has sparked outrage in the country with the hashtag #JusticeforIqra trending on social media.

New Debate on Child Labor:

The tragic incident has reignited the debate on child labor and abuse of domestic workers in Pakistan. While child labor under 15 is officially prohibited, many household owners disregard this law. Iqra's father, a poor farmer, expressed shock over the incident, revealing that he rushed to the hospital upon receiving the news, only to witness his daughter take her last breath.

Abuse and Exploitation:

Iqra had been working since the age of eight to help pay off her family's debts. Employed by the couple, who have eight children of their own, she earned a meager $28 per month. The police reported extensive signs of long-term abuse on Iqra's body, including fractures in her limbs and a serious head wound, allegedly inflicted by a rolling pin. The autopsy report is expected to reveal more details.

Legal Actions:

The employers, Rashid Shafiq and his wife Sana, have been arrested on murder charges, along with the Quran teacher who accompanied Iqra to the hospital. However, the BBC reports that such cases often go unresolved in Pakistan, with few leading to convictions.

Child Labor Statistics:

In Pakistan, 8.5 million girls and women work in households, with a quarter of families employing young girls aged between 10 and 14. Unicef has raised concerns over the conditions of 3.3 million Pakistani girls living in poverty with their employers, describing the situation as a form of modern slavery.