ISLAMABAD, Sep 27 (APP): Chairperson National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) Nilofar Bakhtiar, visited Sukkur, Khairpur, and Ranipur to see the developments in the heartbreaking murder case of nine-year-old domestic maid Fatima.
Nilofar Bakhtiar expressed solidarity and support for the bereaved family of a minor girl who lost her life after brutal torture and abuse in the house of an influential Pir.
The Sindh Commission on the Status of Women joined this mission through its member Ayesha Dharejo, who accompanied the Chairperson during this visit.
The chairperson visited the Anti-Terrorism Court Sukkur where the hearing of the Fatima murder case was fixed.
In the court of judge Nadeem Badar Qazi, she was given a special permission to speak. She appealed to the court for expeditious justice for nine-year-old Fatima.
She further discussed the issue with the legal team to review medico-legal and visual evidence and other important issues like honor killings and forced conversions were also highlighted.
She emphasized that the life and dignity of every woman and child is important and we need to focus on our weakness for implementation of laws. “We have to safeguard and edify our society with respect, equality and bestowing due rights to everyone irrespective of gender and class”.
She further said that unless elimination of class discrimination, the justice system can never flourish. Later, she was also briefed by the lawyers about the Fatima case and other such cases in Sindh.
The chairperson also visited the office of DIG Sukkar Abdul Hameed Khoso, SSP Khairpur Sami Ullah Somoro, and DC Khairpur Ahmed Fawad Shah to get details and recent developments in the case.
She was informed about the surrender of one of the prime suspects Hina Shah, wife of Pir Asad Shah which may lead the case to a logical end.
She appreciated the courage and professionalism of police that is working diligently even in the face of severe pressure and other multiple challenges.
She also visited the Sukkur Police Complaint Cell for Women and inquired about the issues and problems women complainants and victims are facing.
Following that, the chairperson visited the grieving family of Fatima Phuroro to offer her condolences. She assured them about the commission’s unwavering support to get justice for Fatima. She also visited a local girls’ school which was in a very deplorable condition. Even its lights, fans, and windows were stolen.
She promised that she would take up the matter with the Sindh Education Department for the restoration of the school and its building and would request them to name it on the name of Fatima to make it a symbol of support for poor women and girls in the area.
She reiterated her resolve to make Pakistan a country where women and children are safe and getting their due constitutional rights. She urged the media, civil society, relevant provincial stakeholders, and every person having any capacity to bring justice to victims like Fatima.