A female polio worker, who was sexually assaulted four days ago in Allah Bakhsh Jakhrani village, Jacobabad, has faced further trauma after being declared ‘Kari’ by her husband. Following her assault, the victim’s husband expelled her from their home and took custody of their three children. The incident, which unfolded after the worker’s testimony in court, led to a legal battle for the recovery of her children.
The victim, who spoke to local journalists after being reunited with her children, revealed that she was abducted at gunpoint by the suspect while returning from a polio vaccination drive. The attacker, who was later identified and is now in police custody, threatened the victim’s team head to prevent him from following them. The suspect took her into a nearby jungle where three accomplices, their faces covered, were waiting. During the assault, one of the accomplices filmed the incident.
The victim detailed the severe physical and emotional trauma she endured, including torture that left visible marks on her body. Despite her return to the village, she was met with indifference and was denied refuge by the local residents.
In response to the assault and the subsequent actions of her husband, the victim’s lawyers, Nisar Ahmad Mugheri and Zahid Ali Soomro, filed a petition in the district and sessions court for the recovery of her children. The court’s intervention led to a reunion with her daughters.
The victim, from a low-income family, has called for assistance from Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, seeking justice and support as her life has been devastated by the assault. Her counsel criticized the local administration, alleging a failure to uphold the rule of law and calling for the inclusion of Anti-Terrorism Act sections in the FIR, citing the serious threat posed by such crimes against polio workers.
Advocates Zahid Hussain Soomro and Nisar Ahmad Mugheri have urged for enhanced protection for the victim and support from government and social welfare organizations. They emphasized the need for a government job to help her support her family and called for solidarity from her community and family during this challenging time.
The suspect was produced in court, where the Second Additional Sessions Judge and Judicial Magistrate Nisar Ahmed Shar remanded him in police custody for seven days. The court has ordered that medical samples be taken from the suspect and a report be submitted once available.
PPP MPA Sher Mohammad Mugheri has demanded that authorities arrest the remaining suspects and pledged financial support for the victim until she secures employment. Meanwhile, the Sindh Dost Committee has rallied support for the victim and announced a protest scheduled for Monday to further advocate for her cause.
