Islamabad: The death of an 18-year-old domestic help in Pakistan’s Punjab province has sparked outrage and renewed concerns over crimes against women in the country. The young woman, who had accused her employer’s married son and a driver of repeatedly raping her over several months, died during treatment after suffering severe medical complications linked to a miscarriage.
According to local media reports, the victim had stated in her complaint and First Information Report (FIR) that she was subjected to repeated sexual assault by the two accused while working as a domestic helper. She also alleged that her employer attempted to cover up the case to avoid police action.
The woman reportedly developed serious complications after being administered abortion-related drugs and was taken to a clinic in Raiwind. Doctors there informed the family that the four-to-five-month-old foetus had died in the womb and that her condition was critical. She was later sent to her home in Faisalabad for recovery, but her health continued to deteriorate.
On May 23, she was admitted to a government hospital in Lahore, where she died during an operation.
Police officials said the case had initially been registered on the basis of the victim’s statement, naming the employer’s son, the driver and the employer. Following her death, murder charges have also been added to the case. Authorities have arrested the driver and other occupants of the vehicle involved in the incident.
The case has drawn attention at a time when concerns over violence against women in Pakistan remain high. In a separate incident in March, a 19-year-old woman in Punjab province was allegedly gang-raped after being held captive in a van and taken to multiple locations by four men.
Women’s rights activists say such incidents raise serious questions about women’s safety, access to justice and the protection of victims of sexual violence in Pakistan. They have called for swift and fair action against those responsible.
