The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Monday issued notices to Sindh chief secretary, home secretary, Ministries of Law and Health, and inspector general police (IGP) to file comments on the petition seeking relief for rape victims.
Three rape victims of interior Sindh moved the court seeking formation of a cell for rape victims to provide them medical relief, financial support and guidance.
The rape victim, K stated that she was raped at the age of 13 years in Dadu, in 2007 and the local Jirga declared her “Kari”.
The second petitioner, N, who is also a rape victim, stated that she was raped by 10 persons in Ghotki. The third petitioner, B, submitted that she was gang rapped in Dadu, but police was not willing to take action against the accused as they are influential persons of the area.
The petitioners submitted that they reached the court in the interest of all rape victims and with the aim of highlighting this issue.
Citing Sindh chief secretary, home secretary, Ministry of Law and Health and inspector general police (IGP) as respondents, the petitioners prayed to the court to direct the respondents to establish “Rape Crisis Cell” for the victims.
After initial hearing, SHC bench headed by Justice Irfan Saadat issued notices to Sindh advocate general and other respondents to file their comments on October 29.
According to Aurat Foundation, four women are raped in Pakistan every day. Statistics show that six women are kidnapped, four raped, three commit suicide while six are murdered daily in Pakistan.
A report of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) revealed that a total 3,243 women were raped in Pakistan last year. Out of 3,243 rape cases, 2,734 were reported in Punjab, 191 in Sindh, 133 in KP, 19 in Balochistan, 162 in Islamabad and four in Gilgit Baltistan.
HRCP report went on to say that 597 women and girls were gang-raped, 828 raped and 36 stripped in public in the country during the past year.
