LAHORE: The Punjab Commission on the Status of Women (PCSW) successfully rescued a 19-year old Pakistani girl from forced confinement by her parents and other members of her family in Lahore.
According to reports, the girl was brought to Pakistan from Italy in February 2018 for 10 days, under false pretenses of her brother’s engagement. It later emerged that her parents wished to marry her off against her will.
While in Italy, her father had halted her studies. The Italian Embassy informed the PCSW chairperson about the matter with the request to ensure the safety of the girl, while the Ministry of Interior continuously followed up and provided assurance of full support. The Embassy will support the girl in case she wishes to return to Italy, where she has resided for the past 10 years.
The girl’s address was located by the PCSW team and Garhi Shahu SHO, who recovered and transported her to a secure location. She is determined to go back to Italy, where she wants to complete her studies so that she can pursue a career path of her own choice. The girl is safe and relieved that the PCSW, the Punjab police and the Italian Embassy reacted swiftly to rescue her.
Punjab Commission Chairperson, Fauzia Viqar expressed her appreciation for seamless coordination among various government agencies to ensure the safety and protection of a woman. She also greatly appreciated the support of the Italian Embassy.
In the last five years, the Punjab Assembly, as well as the National Assembly of Pakistan, has passed several laws for the protection of women. These laws aim to curb the incidence of honour crimes, forced marriages, deprivation of inheritance, domestic violence, trafficking of women and children, and sexual violence against women.
