Tragic Death of Maid Sparks Outrage as Couple Arrested for Murder Over Stolen Chocolates
What’s estimated to be a tragic tale out of northeast Pakistan has sent shockwaves through the community and social media, mainly for all the wrong reasons. A husband-and-wife duo, Rashid Shafiq and Sana, has been arrested after the untimely death of 13-year-old Iqra Ullah, who worked as a maid in their home. The crime? Allegedly stealing some chocolates. Yes, you heard it right—chocolates! Seriously, is that really worth torturing a young child to death?
According to an investigation detailed by the BBC, the girl had been working for the Shafiq family to help pay off her father’s debts. Iqra was making a meager $28 a month, barely enough for a child to get by, let alone contribute to such weighty financial burdens. When Iqra was found unconscious last Wednesday—a mere six days prior to this reporting—her father, Sana Ullah, a 45-year-old farmer, was contacted about her hospitalization. He arrived only to discover his daughter was unresponsive and died shortly thereafter from multiple injuries. Imagine the horror and heartbreak of that moment—devastation doesn’t even begin to cover it.
Initial reports suggest the sweet maid suffered extreme abuse and frequent torture, leading to severe injuries, including broken bones and a serious head injury. Human rights activist Shehr Bano has echoed the sentiments of many outraged by this tragedy, taking to social media to pen a heartfelt condemnation of the ongoing cycle of violence against children like Iqra. “My heart cries tears of blood. How many are subjected to violence in their homes every day for a trivial job of a few thousand?” Bano lamented, adding the hashtag #JusticeforIqra, which has now become a rallying cry for those advocating for change.
Sadly, it seems that justice in such cases is often a long shot. History shows that holding suspects accountable for crimes against children in similar situations is notoriously difficult in Pakistan. So, while Iqra’s story is heartbreaking, it also opens up a broader dialogue about child labor laws and the rights of workers—especially the most vulnerable among us. This isn’t just a ‘local’ problem; it’s a global issue that requires our attention and action.
Sources: Celebrity Storm Wire and People Magazine, BBC, Human Rights Watch
