A Christian girl was abducted, raped, and sold to a brothel in Gujranwala by her captor. She was eventually found and returned home when her brother accidentally spotted her in a rickshaw en route to a hospital. Tragically, she passed away from a high fever and severe bleeding caused by abortion pills.
In a further distressing turn, the perpetrator attempted to abduct her younger sister as well. The police have arrested the suspect, and BACA has stepped in to support the family, providing both legal and financial assistance to pursue justice.
In January 2024, 18-year-old Salma Bibi, a Christian maid, was abducted by a Muslim man named Umer, also known as Khattari, from her village of Ajniawala near Sheikhupura. A local panchayat later convened and wrongly concluded that Salma had willingly eloped with Khattari, leaving her father, Munir Masih (59), without hope of justice. Due to poverty and panchayat pressure, Salma’s family did not report the kidnapping to the police.
However, on June 14, 2024, a significant turn of events occurred. Abid Masih (25), Salma’s eldest brother, was in Wazirabad, approximately 90 km from Sheikhupura. At the Gujranwala Bypass, he spotted Salma Bibi in a rickshaw with other women. Recognizing her brother, Salma immediately ran to him, while the other women quickly fled. Overwhelmed and in a poor physical state, Salma embraced her brother and tearfully recounted her harrowing ordeal.
Abid Masih found his sister Salma Bibi in Gujranwala, pale and suffering from high fever and severe bleeding. He took her to their home in Ajniawala, where she was in critical condition. Under treatment, Salma recounted her traumatic experience to her mother, Zaida Bibi (55).
Salma revealed that Umer, also known as Khattari, had kidnapped her and raped her multiple times. He then took her to Gujranwala, where his friends also assaulted her over the course of a month before selling her to a brothel. During her captivity, she became pregnant, and the brothel owner administered abortion pills. When the bleeding became uncontrollable, they attempted to take her to a hospital. On the way, she fortuitously encountered her brother Abid Masih.
Despite the family’s efforts to save her through home treatment, Salma’s condition was too severe. She passed away on June 16, just two days after returning home.
Asif Masih Khokhar, a local community leader, reported to BACA that, in an attempt to avoid responsibility, Umer, also known as Khattari, contacted the police emergency helpline (15) and falsely claimed that Salma’s family had poisoned her. The police arrived swiftly, but with the assistance of the local community, Salma’s family clarified that she had died from fever and excessive bleeding. The police then departed, allowing the family to bury Salma in a local graveyard.
The family’s suffering continued. Nisha Bibi (17), who also worked as a maid for local Muslim landlords, faced further intimidation. On July 27, as she was returning home from her job at Ch. Tariq Malik’s residence, Umer Khattari confronted her. He demanded that she accompany him and threatened to kidnap, rape, and kill her if she refused. Nisha recounted to BACA that Umer said:
“If you don’t come with me, I will kidnap and rape you just like I did with your elder sister. What did you do to stop me from kidnapping and killing your sister – absolutely nothing!”
After Nisha arrived home and recounted the incident to her mother, the family sought help from Asif Masih Khokhar, who immediately contacted authorities at Saddar Police Station, Farooq Abad. An application was filed against Umer, leading the police to swiftly register a First Information Report (FIR No. 1282/24) under sections 337A, 371B, 322, 506, and 509. Umer was arrested the same day at his residence in Ajniawala.
On July 30, BACA representatives visited the family at their home, meeting with Munir Masih and his wife, Zaida Bibi. Hearing their heart-wrenching account of the brutality and oppression they have endured was deeply sobering. BACA assured the family of both legal and financial assistance to help them fight for justice against these heinous crimes.
To support this family, we need to raise £1,500 for legal fees and may also need to relocate them to a safe house at a cost of £150 per month. The group responsible for abducting Salma Bibi is known for their violence and threats, and we aim to ensure the family’s safety and protection from further intimidation. If you would like to donate click (here).
Juliet Chowdhry, Trustee for British Asian Christian Association, said:
“This tragic case fills me with profound disgust and sorrow. The brutality faced by Salma Bibi and the ongoing threats against her family are stark reminders of the horrific plight endured by many Christian women in Pakistan. It is estimated that 700 Christian girls and women are kidnapped, raped, and forced into Islamic marriages each year, with many subjected to slavery or sold into brothels. We stand with Salma’s family, offering them our unwavering support and calling for justice, not only for them but for every victim of this grave injustice.”
