‘Battered and broken’: Rizwana’s wounds cast light on child labor in Pakistan

The undated blurred photo shows child abuse victim Rizwana undergoing treatment at Lahore’s General Hospital. (Photo courtesy: social media)
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Updated 16 August 2023
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‘Battered and broken’: Rizwana’s wounds cast light on child labor in Pakistan

  • Wife of civil judge arrested over accusations she tortured 14-year-old maid in case that has unleashed widespread calls for justice
  • Rizwana is admitted at Lahore’s General Hospital with sepsis, broken bones and wounds all over her body, needs multiple surgeries

LAHORE: Fourteen-year-old Rizwana was brought to a hospital in Pakistan’s eastern city of Lahore on July 24 with multiple head injuries, open wounds and broken bones across her body, and sepsis, a deadly immune response triggered by infection. She was unable to breathe on her own, or eat and speak.

Her family says the girl's condition was the culmination of six months of abuse and torture she was subjected to at the home of a civil judge in Islamabad where she worked as a maid, earning Rs10,000 ($34) a month. The case, for weeks the subject of outraged news headlines, has put the spotlight on Pakistan’s child labor and trafficking practices, often considered symptoms of poverty, with desperately poor families selling their children for work.

Child labor was banned in Pakistan in 2020 and it is illegal for children to work in factories and other industries. However, there are still about 12 million child workers in the country, according to the Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Child (SPARC). Many come from Pakistan’s poorest regions, either through middlemen, shadowy job placement agencies or by kidnapping, and work as domestic staff in private homes where monitoring working conditions or detecting abuse is difficult for authorities. Public attitudes towards child labor are also usually permissive in a society where even in the lowest rungs of the middle class, families often have at least one live-in servant.

But Rizwana’s case has captured the public imagination and unleashed widespread cries for justice. The main suspect, Somia Asism, the wife of civil judge Asim Hafeez, was arrested this week after initially getting bail.

Rizwana, meanwhile, was shifted from the ICU to a private ward on August 8, her ordeal far from over.

“This was the first time I started to believe that the likes of us can get justice as well,” Rizwana’s mother, Shameem Bibi, told Arab News at the Lahore General Hospital. “The poor are not human at all. Nobody treats us like human beings.”

Bibi, who has nine other children and whose husband is a daily wage laborer, said Asim had contacted her multiple times since the police complaint was registered, offering huge sums of money to drop the charges. 

Lawyers for Asim, who has pleaded innocence, could not be reached for comment despite several attempts. 

“She said, ‘You are never going to win even if you keep going [to courts] for the next twenty years, so take the money’,” Bibi said. “But I didn’t want money, I want justice for my daughter.”

The horrors Rizwana recalls are unspeakable, including being starved for five days in a row and her head being repeatedly beaten against the floor, apparently as punishment for behaviour that displeased her employers.

The mother said when she first saw Rizwana in Islamabad at the bus stop where Asim had come to hand her back to her family, she was missing teeth and her head was bandaged. Her face, covered in wounds and smashed in, was “difficult even to look at,” Bibi said.

At the time, the family did not know that an infection was slowly spreading through the girl's body because of untreated wounds all over her body.

“PROLONGED TORTURE”

A 12-member medical board led by Dr. Jodat Saleem, a renowned professor of anesthesia, ICU and pain management, was constituted last month to devise a treatment and recovery plan for Rizwana at Lahore’s General Hospital, with two plastic surgeons recently added to help with reconstructive surgery.

“There are signs of prolonged periods of torture, old wounds that were never allowed to heal,” Dr Saleem told Arab News, saying the child was subjected to “forced malnutrition” because of which her body stopped producing white blood cells and platelets, severely weakening her immune system.

Weeks-old fractures on her arms, legs and nasal bone and a wound on her back, among various other injuries, had nor been treated, leading to the development of an infection that spread to the child’s lungs and heart.

“The heart is better, but the lung problem continues, which is why we will need intermittent oxygen support,” Dr Saleem said.

A nasal bone fracture, a skull fracture, and torn lips also needed intervention:

“We had to close the wounds on her face first … Today [Wednesday] we are going to clean the head and back wounds, and she will undergo a second surgery.”

The “parameters of infection” were improving, the professor added, but Rizwana would likely need six reconstructive surgeries. Her immunity, he said, was “extremely compromised,” which made it very difficult to provide a timeline for her recovery process.

Lahore-based lawyer Faisal Jatt, who is representing Rizwana’s family, said CCTV footage of Asim putting the girl in her car to drive her to a bus station in Islamabad as well as of Rizwana waiting for her mother at the station on July 23, clearly showed her trauma.

“You can clearly see the bandages, signs of injuries, the child was unable to walk to the bus, the bus driver had to carry her in,” Jatt said.

Rizwana’s father Manga Khan said she was “battered and broken” when the family picked her up from the bus station.

“Her legs and arms were broken, her head was damaged, the skin on her head was torn,” he said. 

The girl’s face had been covered with a cloth when the car dropped her off.

“When my wife removed the cloth and saw [her face], it was in a bad state.”

“NOT RARE”

Rizwana’s case, however harrowing, is hardly unique.

The brutal death of eight-year-old maid Zohra Shah in 2020 also caused outrage in Pakistan, prompting the government to change legislation governing child labor and ban the practice. In another case, a 10-year-old maid was tortured by her employers, a judge and his wife, in 2016 in a much-publicized case that saw the judge barred from legal practice. The three-year jail term imposed on him and his wife was later reduced to one year, however.

Perhaps the most publicized case of child labor in Pakistan was Iqbal Masih, sold by his parents at age 4 and shackled to a carpet loom for almost six years, earning one rupee a day. When Masih escaped, he owed his boss 13,000 rupees and went on to win international acclaim for highlighting the horrors of child labor in Pakistan. He was shot dead when he was 12 after receiving several death threats from people in the carpet industry angered by his comments about child labor.

Doctors and social workers said they hoped Rizwana would have a better future.

“We are making a long-term rehabilitation plan for her,” Dr Al Fareed Zafar, another senior doctor treating Rizwana, told reporters this week. “We need to give her education, teach her some skills so that she can go on and live her own life, a better life.”

Ehtsham Arshad, an officer with Punjab’s Child Protection and Welfare Bureau which has legal custody of Rizwana until she is discharged from hospital, said she would have to undergo trauma counseling and therapy. The plan was to move her to a district office in Faisalabad for mental and physical rehabilitation, then to Sargodha, her hometown, where the government would pay for her education.

The Bureau has rescued 78,753 children from abuse, exploitation, and being driven to the streets without a legal guardian since it was established in 2005.

“Each month we see around 200-300 children in need of rescue in Lahore alone, half of these cases involve child labor abuse,” Arshad said. “This [Rizwana's] is a very publicized but unfortunately not a rare case of violence against child laborers.”

Still, the girl's mother is adamant she will get justice for her daughter.

“God is with the poor,” Bibi said. “My god Inshallah will help me. She [Asim] will be punished.”


Pakistani bank signs LC Confirmation deal with International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation

Updated 05 November 2024
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Pakistani bank signs LC Confirmation deal with International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation

  • This product facilitates trade flow by allowing exporters and issuing banks to gain assurance from the ITFC
  • It will support private sector clients by working with banks in Organization of Islamic Cooperation states

ISLAMABAD: Meezan Bank, a leading Islamic bank in Pakistan, has signed a new strategic partnership with the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) under its Letter of Credit (LC) Confirmation product to support the private sector, the Pakistani bank said on Tuesday.
This product facilitates trade flow by allowing exporters and issuing banks to gain assurance from the ITFC, a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, to secure payment and thus eliminate credit risks, according to a statement issued by Meezan Bank.
It will support private sector clients, including small-medium enterprises (SMEs), by working with local banks in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member countries to facilitate various import transactions.
The agreement was signed by Nazeem Noordali, Chief Operating Officer of ITFC, and Syed Amir Ali, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Meezan Bank, in the presence of executives from both sides.
“Today marks a significant milestone in our business relationship with ITFC as we solidify our partnership. This arrangement reinforces our Bank’s commitment to reliability, stability, and financial excellence,” said Syed Amir Ali, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Meezan Bank.
“The Letter of Credit Confirmation Agreement strengthens our position in the market, enabling us to capitalize on new opportunities and facilitate international Islamic trade.”
Meezan Bank is the first bank in Pakistan to partner with ITFC for the LC Confirmation facility. It will enable the Pakistani bank to extend geographical coverage by leveraging the ITFC network, both in member and non-member countries. It will also enable the Bank to handle LC Confirmation transactions of up to 12 months.
“We are proud to strengthen our partnership with Meezan Bank through this Letter of Credit Confirmation Agreement, which reflects our commitment and support to private sector clients in our member countries,” M. Nazeem Noordali, Chief Operating Officer of ITFC, was quoted as saying by Meezan Bank.
 


Pakistani actors Mahira Khan, Humayun Saeed starrer ‘Love Guru’ to release on Eid

Updated 47 min 46 sec ago
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Pakistani actors Mahira Khan, Humayun Saeed starrer ‘Love Guru’ to release on Eid

  • The movie will be directed by industry veteran Nadeem Baig and also feature actor Ahmed Ali Butt
  • Pakistani cinema has witnessed a revival over the past decade with the release of a number of movies

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani superstar Mahira Khan has said that her new film ‘Love Guru’ will be released on Eid next year, which will feature her alongside actors Humayun Saeed and Ahmed Ali Butt.

Khan, who will be playing the female lead alongside Saeed, said the movie is directed by Nadeem Baig. Both Khan and Saeed appeared together in the Pakistani film ‘Bin Roye’ nine years ago, with fans admiring their chemistry on screen.

“There is one project that we are shooting for the past month,” Khan told reporters at an event in London. “It’s film Love Guru that will be released on Eid.”

The actress expressed happiness and thanked her fans for the amount of love she received in London.

Khan has made a mark in international cinema with her performances in ‘The Legend of Maula Jatt’ (2022) and Bollywood flick ‘Raees’ (2017) alongside Shah Rukh Khan. Her acting skills in the two movies were widely praised by critics and made her a household name in Pakistan and India.

Pakistani cinema industry has witnessed a revival over the past decade with the release of a number of movies, including ‘Zinda Bhaag’ (2013) and ‘Ho Mann Jahaan’ (2016), which were based on a mix of traditional and modern themes.

The success of these films has led to an increase in investment in movie production, with many new films being released each year.


Pakistan, China conclude bilateral air exercise to bolster interoperability

Updated 05 November 2024
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Pakistan, China conclude bilateral air exercise to bolster interoperability

  • The exercise simulated various military tactics in near-realistic, multi-domain operations
  • Pakistan is separately holding a joint military exercise, Harimau-Markhore II, with Malaysia

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China on Tuesday concluded a bilateral air exercise aimed at strengthening interoperability between the two air forces, the Pakistani military said.

The Indus Shield-Chinese exercise, a bilateral module of the Indus Shield 2024 military exercise, concluded at an operational air base of Pakistan Air Force (PAF), according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistani military’s media wing.

It witnessed participation from People’s Liberation Army Air Force with its personnel and high-tech equipment comprising Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, J-16 and J-10C fighter with Beyond Visual Range (BVR) equipment, HQ-22 surface-to-air defense system, Potent Airborne Electronic Warfare YTG-9 Platform, and the KJ-500 airborne early warning system pitched against the PAF’s J-10C and JF-17 Block-III fighter jets simulating contemporary aerial combat scenarios.

“The successful execution of such a large-scale exercise demonstrates Pakistan Air Force’s joint operational readiness among allied nations while addressing contemporary security challenges,” the ISPR said in a statement.

“Aimed at validating interoperability between China and Pakistan in the face of contemporary air combat challenges and by simulating various military tactics in near-realistic, multi-domain operations training environment, Indus Shield-Chinese has maximized the warfighting potential of both the participating air forces.”

Indus Shield-2024 is the largest multinational regional exercise, with Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkiye among 24 countries taking part in it. The exercise aims to foster interoperability and training through state-of-the-art facilities.

Pakistan is separately holding a joint military exercise, Harimau-Markhore II, with Malaysia, Pakistani state media reported on Tuesday. The two-week-long exercise began at the National Counter-Terrorism Center in Pabbi in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtukhwa (KP) province.

“The exercise will strengthen bilateral relations between the Malaysian and Pakistani forces and provide opportunities to benefit from each other’s experiences and expertise in the future,” the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.

Pakistan frequently holds exercise drills with regional and international allies to foster interoperability and joint deployment concepts to strengthen regional and global security.

Also, Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) Zulfiquar visited Port Djibouti during deployment on a regional maritime security patrol, the Directorate General Public Relations (DGPR) of Pakistan Navy said on Tuesday.

The commanding officer of PNS Zulfiquar called on senior military leadership and explored avenues for further collaboration, while the crew had professionally rewarding interactions with Djibouti Navy and Coast Guards during the port call.

“Pakistan and Djibouti enjoy close and cordial relations based on mutual respect and understanding. Both the countries also have numerous common interests in maritime arena,” the DGPR said in a statement. “Upon departure, PNS Zulfiquar conducted Passage Exercise with Djibouti Coast Guards to enhance inter-operability.”


Pakistan approves Hajj Policy 2025, adds new role to improve pilgrim services

Updated 05 November 2024
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Pakistan approves Hajj Policy 2025, adds new role to improve pilgrim services

  • Pakistan will send 179,210 pilgrims, equally divided between the government and private sector
  • Government will prioritize first-time pilgrims in the official balloting process, says a statement

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s federal cabinet on Tuesday approved the Hajj Policy 2025, said an official statement, specifying a quota of 179,210 pilgrims and introducing a new position of the “nazim” or administrator to ensure improved services for those embarking on the spiritual journey.
Hajj, one of Islam’s five pillars, is an annual pilgrimage to Makkah undertaken by millions of Muslims. Pakistan has one of the largest Hajj quotas provided by Saudi Arabia to any Muslim country amid immense demand for the pilgrimage, with many citizens waiting years for an opportunity to participate.
“The federal cabinet approved the Hajj Policy 2025 on the recommendation of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony,” an official handout from the Prime Minister’s Office said. “The cabinet was informed that Pakistan’s Hajj quota for 2025 will be 179,210, divided equally between the government and the private sector.”
The new policy includes the creation of a “nazim” position, aimed at ensuring the well-being of pilgrims throughout the journey.
“For every 100 pilgrims, one nazim will be appointed from the welfare staff,” the handout added, underscoring the government’s intent to improve the pilgrimage experience.
Under the policy, children under 12 will not be allowed to travel for Hajj. Government quota allocation will be conducted through computerized balloting, with 1,000 seats reserved for hardship cases and 300 for laborers or low-income employees registered with the Workers Welfare Fund or the Employees Old-Age Benefits Institution.
Additionally, the Makkah Route Initiative, offering streamlined immigration services, will be available at Islamabad and Karachi international airports. To further enhance the experience, Hajj Group Organizers will sign service agreements with the Ministry of Religious Affairs, with close monitoring of service quality.
In light of previous challenges, the cabinet has increased compensation for pilgrims who may pass away or get injured during the pilgrimage. The families of deceased pilgrims will receive Rs1 million to Rs2 million, while injured pilgrims will receive Rs1 million in compensation.
A specialized Hajj management app has also been developed to support pilgrims, along with extensive training initiatives.
The cabinet directed priority in the balloting process to first-time pilgrims and emphasized the importance of ensuring top-quality services for all participants.


Pakistan government defends bills extending tenure of armed services chiefs

Updated 05 November 2024
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Pakistan government defends bills extending tenure of armed services chiefs

  • Parliament has approved bills to extend tenure of army, navy, and air force chiefs from 3 to 5 years
  • Opposition fears extending tenure will consolidate the hold of already all-powerful army chief

ISLAMABAD: Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has defended the passage this week by Pakistan’s parliament of bills that extend the tenures of the army, navy and air force chiefs, saying the move would check against services chiefs granting themselves extensions and “formalize” the duration of their service.

The bills, approved by Pakistan’s National Assembly and Senate on Monday, have been pushed by the coalition government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif which argues that they are aimed at building continuity and avoiding some of the political turmoil that usually surrounds the appointment of the army chief every three years. The bills also extend the tenure of the heads of the navy and air force, though those positions hold less influence in Pakistan.

The office of the army chief is considered to be the most powerful in the country, with the army having ruled Pakistan for almost half of its 75-year -long history. Even when not directly in power, the army is considered to be the invisible guiding hand in politics and holds considerable sway in internal security, foreign policy, and economic affairs, among other domains. Several army chiefs in the past have been given extensions in service.

“What we did [passage of bills], these extensions [in army chief’s term] started from Ayub Khan’s time,” Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said, referring to a Pakistani general who carried out a military coup in 1958 and ruled until 1969.

“That thing has been formalized now, and we have increased the tenure. You pick up the rest of the institutions. [...] the National Assembly [term] is also for five years.”

“Now the trend of extensions, how it was in the past that people gave an extension to themselves [will be ended],” Asif added, referring to now retired Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, who served as army chief from 2016-22 after getting a three-year extension.

Speaking to a Pakistani news channel, Information Minister Ataullah Tarar also said the uncertainty surrounding the army chief’s appointment had been addressed through the new legislation.

“The five-year tenure [of the services chiefs] will not affect the institution’s merit-based system … The amendments are not introduced suddenly, instead the consultation on them was underway, and this legislation is not done for any individual.”

OPPOSITION STANCE

As the bills were passed on Monday in the National Assembly, opposition lawmakers from the PTI party of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan chanted against the measure. Some of them tore up copies of the bills and threw them at Speaker Ayaz Sadiq for not allowing debate. A similar protest by lawmakers from Khan’s party took place when the bill was quickly passed by the Senate, where Sharif’s party also holds a majority. The bill will now go to the president for his approval.

Omar Ayub Khan, a top leader of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, or PTI, told reporters after the bill passed that the legislation “is neither good for country nor for the armed forces.”

The PTI is widely believed to be against an extension in service particularly for incumbent Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir, who it considers to be behind the ouster of Khan from the PM’s office in a parliamentary vote of no-confidence in 2022. The PTI also says the army is behind legal cases against Khan that have kept him in prison since August last year. The military denies any interference in politics.

The passage of the new bills follows controversial amendments made to the constitution last month, granting lawmakers the authority to nominate the chief justice of Pakistan, who previously used to be automatically appointed according to the principle of seniority.

The amendments allowed the government to bypass the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, and appoint Justice Yahya Afridi as the country’s top judge.

The opposition and the legal fraternity had opposed the amendments, arguing that they were aimed at granting more power to the executive in making judicial appointments and curtailing the independence of the judiciary. The government denies this.