A young Christian woman, aged 18, was tragically raped by a Muslim man in Sheikhupura. The perpetrator lured the victim to an isolated brick factory, where he assaulted her and threatened to kill her brother if she revealed the incident to anyone.
In an attempt to silence the victim, the rapist’s family has offered a financial bribe of Rs. 20,000 for a compromise, which the family have refused.
The British Asian Christian Association (BACA) team has visited the victim’s family to offer support and stand in solidarity with them during this difficult time.
On 7th November, Eman Khuram, an 18-year-old Christian girl, was violently assaulted by Ansar Shah, a known troublemaker in the area. As Eman was returning home from her job at a shoe factory, Ansar Shah stopped her and falsely claimed to have kidnapped her younger brother, Rehman. He threatened to kill Rehman if Eman did not comply with his demands and forced her to sit with him on his motorcycle.
For over 30 minutes, Ansar Shah drove aimlessly, continuing his threats, until he took Eman to a secluded brick factory, about a kilometre from her home. Once there, he locked her in a room and told her that her brother had not been kidnapped. Despite her protests, Ansar Shah forcibly stripped her of her clothes, and during the struggle, Eman sustained bruises and injuries. She was brutally raped.
Afterward, the rapist left Eman, warning her not to speak about the assault or reveal his identity, threatening to kill her brother if she did.
When Eman Khuram did not return home at her usual time, her mother, Sana Bibi, grew increasingly worried. She called Eman’s supervisor at the factory, who informed her that Eman had left work by 5:00 pm.
Sana Bibi shared with BACA, “I thought she must have been doing extra work at the factory, which caused her to be late coming home.” But when the supervisor confirmed that Eman had left on time, Sana Bibi became more anxious. “I could not do anything, as no male member was at home,” she added.
Eman finally returned home around 8:00 pm, her clothes torn, and stained with dust and mud. When her mother asked what had happened, Eman disclosed the horrifying ordeal she had endured.
“Her condition tore my heart. I couldn’t understand what had happened to my innocent daughter,” Sana Bibi said, her voice breaking with grief.
Sana Bibi immediately contacted the 15 Police Emergency Helpline for assistance after her daughter, Eman Khuram, returned home in a severely traumatized state. The Saddar Police responded promptly, taking both Sana and Eman to the police station where a First Information Report (FIR) [Vide No. 2935/24] was registered against Ansar Shah under Section 376 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), which addresses the crime of rape.
Eman was then taken to the Trauma Centre in Sheikhupura for a medico-legal certificate (MLC). The doctors conducted their examination, but as of now, the family has not received the official MLC from the hospital. Despite numerous raids at his residence, the police have been unable to arrest Ansar Shah.
On 12th November, the British Asian Christian Association (BACA) team visited Eman’s family to express solidarity and support them in their fight against this heinous crime.
Sana Bibi shared with BACA that relatives of Ansar Shah had visited her home, pressuring Eman to withdraw the case. Gogay Shah, a relative of the rapist, even offered Sana Bibi Rs. 20,000 (£56.25) in an attempt to convince her to forgive Ansar Shah and settle the matter. Despite the offer of a bribe, the family has firmly refused and remains resolute in their pursuit of justice for their daughter. They are determined to hold the perpetrator accountable and ensure that their daughter’s suffering is not in vain.
Eman and her family are in urgent need of protection, as Ansar Shah comes from a wealthy and politically well-connected family. The family’s safety is at serious risk given the influence of the rapist’s relatives.
Eman is the eldest child in her family. She took on the responsibility of caring for her family after her father, Khuram Masih (42), a heroin addict, abandoned them two years ago, leaving them in debt. To support her family, Eman works at a shoe factory in Sheikhupura, earning a meager Rs. 15,000 (about £42) per month. She must leave her home at 7:00 am each day to travel 3 kilometres to her workplace.
Eman’s younger brother, Rehman Khuram (17), works on a dairy farm owned by a Muslim landlord, Akram Virk. He took over the work left by his father to help repay a debt of Rs. 350,000 (around £984) that their father had borrowed from Akram Virk before abandoning the family. Rehman is working tirelessly on the farm until the debt is repaid.
Since the traumatic incident, Eman has been too devastated to return to work, and the income earned by Rehman is insufficient to meet the family’s daily expenses. In response, the British Asian Christian Association (BACA) has provided a one-time donation of £100 to assist the family during this challenging time. However, we are committed to offering ongoing support and would like to provide a regular monthly contribution of £50 for at least a year to help Eman and her family as she recovers.
[Since this post was published on 12th November 2024, the family has faced increasing threats from the rapist and his associates, pressuring them to withdraw the police investigation. With BACA’s support, the family has been temporarily relocated to a relative’s home for their immediate safety. However, we urgently need funds to secure a rental property in a Christian community, far from their original home, to ensure their long-term protection. We are aiming to raise a £250 deposit and £150 per month for the next six months to cover rental costs and ensure their safety. Additionally, BACA will provide training and assistance in finding employment, helping the family establish a new life in a safer Christian enclave, within this period.]
Additionally, we aim to hire a solicitor to ensure the family has access to the legal support they need to seek justice and hold the perpetrator accountable. If you would like to support Eman and her family during this difficult time, you can donate (here). Your generosity will help provide ongoing financial assistance for their daily needs and ensure they receive the legal support necessary to seek justice.
Juliet Chowdhry, Trustee for the British Asian Christian Association, said:
“Eman has endured a horrific assault that will leave lasting scars on her life. Throughout her life, she has shown unwavering dedication to God and to her family, embodying the values of an exemplary daughter. The impact of this attack extends far beyond Eman herself; it has shaken her entire church congregation, who have been standing in prayer with her since the incident.
Christian women in Pakistan are especially vulnerable to such violence, as they are a voiceless and marginalized minority. Christians in the West must offer support and protection to these women. We are committed to ensuring that the perpetrator of this crime is brought to justice—not only to seek justice for Eman but also to prevent other young women from falling victim to his uncontrollable urges.”
