- Allegations of Abuse and Suspicious Death
- Widespread Child Labor Issue
- Calls for Justice and Scrutiny of Abuse Cases
A recent development has brought to light the tragic case of 10-year-old Fatima Phuriro, who was found dead under suspicious circumstances in Ranipur city, District Khairpur. Fatima had been working as a domestic worker in a haveli owned by a local influencer, Pir Asad Shah Jilani. Her mother, Shabana, received news of her daughter’s death and was asked to remove the body from the haveli where Fatima’s sisters also worked.
According to reports from Samaa news, Fatima’s mother alleged that her daughter had endured severe abuse, including burns from a hot iron, hair pulling, and sexual assault. It was further claimed that hundreds of teenage girls were held as maids by the Pir’s family. These girls, daughters of mureeds, were sent to ‘serve’ the Pir, and were only permitted to meet their families with the mureeds’ consent.
Social activist Dr. Aisha Hassan Dharejo tweeted about two other girls facing similar abuses at the haveli. The police have recorded their statements to strengthen the case. The video footage from the haveli reveals Fatima in distress, lying on the ground and struggling to get up. The case gained attention after videos of torture surfaced on social media.
یہ دوں لڑکیاں بھی اُسی حویلی کے وکٹم ہیں جہاں سے فاطمہ کا لاش گھر پہنچا تھا ان کے ظلم کے داستاں سُنیں ،یہ حویلیاں جہاں بچوں سے جبری کام لیا جاتا ہے جہاں پر عورتوں اور بچیوں کو جنسی طور پر حراساں کیا جاتا ہیں جہاں پر بچیوں کو تشدد کا نشانا بنایا جاتا ہے @khalidkoree @NJLahori pic.twitter.com/WhE7kMWqWr
— Aisha Hassan Dharejo (@draishadharejo) August 18, 2023
For sheer political hatred people are projecting blame away from the demented perpetrator (who personally speaking should be burnt alive for his sins) & instead deflect to somehow blame PPP – the only party that has actually legislated against both child labour & child marriage. https://t.co/LXVoX3LDTZ
— Bakhtawar B-Zardari (@BakhtawarBZ) August 18, 2023
The local authorities formed an investigation team led by an SSP to look into the matter. Pir Asad Shah Jilani was arrested following an FIR under Sections 302 (premeditated murder) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention). He denied the charges, attributing Fatima’s death to a stomach ailment. The incident prompted calls for justice and heightened scrutiny of such cases involving child labor and abuse.