13-Year-Old Domestic Worker Dies in Alleged Abuse by Employers

News Desk

Islamabad: In a disturbing incident that has once again brought the issue of child domestic labour to the forefront, a 13-year-old girl employed as a house help died under suspicious circumstances in Rahim Yar Khan’s Gulshan-e-Iqbal area.

Police have arrested a man, identified as Shahram, and his wife on charges of allegedly torturing the minor, Samia, who had been working in their household for the past three years. District Police Officer (DPO) Irfan Samo confirmed the arrest and said the suspects had attempted to flee but were apprehended during a police raid.

According to police, Samia hailed from Kotla Pathan and had been working in Shahram’s house to support her family. The victim’s mother was reportedly informed late at night that her daughter had died of “natural causes” and was handed her body wrapped in a shroud. However, upon returning home, she discovered visible signs of torture on Samia’s body and immediately contacted law enforcement.

The girl’s body was taken for a post-mortem examination, which confirmed the presence of severe injuries consistent with physical abuse. Following the medical findings, police launched an investigation and took both suspects into custody.

“This is a heartbreaking case. The girl had clear signs of torture on her body. We acted immediately after receiving the complaint and arrested the suspects,” DPO Samo said.

The case has sparked outrage across the country, with rights activists and citizens demanding justice for the victim and calling for urgent reforms to protect children working in domestic spaces.

Samia’s death is the latest in a series of grim incidents involving the abuse of child domestic workers in Pakistan. In 2024, a 12-year-old girl named Ayesha was allegedly beaten to death by her employers in Village 84 South, a suburb of Sargodha. Police said she was struck with iron rods and sticks by a feudal landlord, Jawad Bhatti, and his wife.

In 2023, another high-profile case involved the brutal torture of 14-year-old Rizwana by the wife of a civil judge, Somia Asim, at their home in Islamabad.

These repeated cases of violence have underscored the urgent need for legislation banning child domestic labour and establishing strict monitoring mechanisms to safeguard vulnerable children from exploitation and abuse.

Police investigations into Samia’s case are ongoing.

Input from Geo News website.