A Pakistani couple was arrested in Rawalpindi city for allegedly murdering a 13-year-old girl, who worked as a domestic help, over suspicion of stealing chocolates.
The girl, who was identified by media reports as Irqa, died at a hospital last Wednesday.
She was reportedly suffering from multiple injuries.
The incident has triggered massive protests with the hashtag #JusticeforIqra trending online.
The hashtag has garnered tens and thousands of views so far.
The arrested couple was identified as Rashid Shafiq and his wife Sana.
Irqa’s Father Feels Shattered
Irqa’s father said he felt shattered after he came to know about his daughter’s death.
“I felt completely shattered inside when she died,” Iqra’s father, Sana Ullah, told the BBC.
He said he saw her in an unconscious state when he visited the hospital after receiving a call from the police.
He said she died minutes after he visited the hospital.
He said his debt forced him to take such a stance.
According to reports, the girl went to the house of the couple two years ago.
She was reportedly receiving $28 per month from them.
An autopsy is being conducted to assess the full extent of her injuries, and the police has told the BBC that they were still awaiting the final medical report.
Prominent Activist React
Activist Shehr Bano reacted to the incident and wrote on X: “Raise your voice. My heart cries tears of blood. How many Iqras, how many Fatimas are subjected to violence in their homes every day for a trivial job of a few thousand.”
“How has this state become so insensitive? How long will the poor continue to lower their daughters into graves in this way and the rich continue to survive on money?” he said.
One X user wrote in the comment section: “I’m disgusted and ashamed of Pakistan.”
About 3.3 million of Pakistani children are trapped in child labour, UNICEF said.
