Bangladeshi Girl Files Rape, Fraud Complaint in Islamabad Against Pakistani Man
Shazia Mehboob
Islamabad: A 29-year-old Bangladeshi citizen has lodged a formal complaint with the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad against a Pakistani citizen, Sharjeel Zahid, alleging serious offences including harassment, rape, physical violence, and financial exploitation.
The survivor woman claims she was deceived under the false promise of marriage, a situation that, according to her complaint, led to prolonged abuse and emotional distress.
According to complaint documents available with The PenPK, Foyjunnesa Sharmin alleged that she met Islamabad resident Sharieel Zahid in the UK in November 2024, when both were working together at Gregg’s bakery and coffee shop in London. The complaint further states that he developed a close personal relationship with her by making promises of marriage, long-term commitment, and emotional support.
The documents also state that, during the course of the relationship, Sharjeel allegedly obtained approximately £5,000 from her through multiple bank transfers and cash transactions at different times, with the complainant adding that records of all transactions are available with her.
Disputes arose when the complainant demanded the return of the borrowed money, after which the accused allegedly became abusive, coercive, manipulative, and exploitative, according to the complaint document.
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She was repeatedly subjected to physical violence and non-consensual sexual intercourse on multiple occasions in the United Kingdom, including incidents reported between July 2024 and July 2025 in Wood Green, London, and again on August 4, 2025. The survivor states that medical records later confirmed her pregnancy during the said period and identified the accused as the biological father.
Speaking to ThePenPK, she further claimed that Sharjeel also recorded private videos and photographs of her during their relationship and is now allegedly threatening her with dire consequences if she speaks out against his alleged brutality and fraud.
Threats Persist Online
According to the survivor, the suspected man, a resident of Islamabad, allegedly left the United Kingdom on March 11, 2026, and travelled to Pakistan, leaving the survivor pregnant. However, the complainant alleges that harassment, intimidation, and coercion continued through electronic and online communications, allegedly carried out via intermediaries, including members of the suspect’s family.
Advocate High Court Asad Ullah Khan, who is overseeing the complaint, said that pressure was allegedly exerted on the survivor to prevent her from initiating legal proceedings against the suspected man in Pakistan and to force her to terminate her pregnancy against her will.
The survivor woman also alleged that Sharjeel Zahid threatened her by claiming to have strong connections in Bangladesh and warned that he could harm her.
According to her, she was allegedly made to feel worthless simply because she is a woman. She further claimed that she received death threats, and that similar threats were also directed at her father.
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The rape survivor has appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad to urgently initiate a thorough investigation against Sharjeel Zahid, recover the money she alleges was unlawfully taken from her, and ensure strict legal action for the alleged exploitation, abuse, and deception under the false pretext of marriage, while demanding justice in the case.
No Borders for Women’s Pain
“I even attempted suicide due to the immense mental trauma and emotional pressure,” the survivor lamented while recalling her ordeal and alleged suffering at the hands of the suspect and societal pressure.
The rape survivor stated that she, while in the UK, and her family in Bangladesh were subjected to severe humiliation and social isolation following the incident. She added that her relatives and members of society exerted such intense pressure on her family that they were forced to isolate themselves at home.
“Her own brother stopped speaking to her, while the people she was living with in the UK asked her to leave the house.” She said that “society judged her immediately without caring whether she was at fault or not,” adding that “women are still viewed with suspicion and shame even in modern societies.”
“Her life felt as though it was collapsing,” she said, expressing deep distress. She was allegedly given an ultimatum to leave her residence, while her brother told her he no longer wanted any relationship with her. According to her statement, “no one was willing to support or accept her during that difficult period.”
She said her parents tried to stand by her, but they too faced humiliation due to societal pressure and concerns over their social standing.
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She added that people insulted her mother and subjected the family to verbal abuse in their home country. The stress became so severe that her mother had to be hospitalized, while the survivor herself remained under medical observation for nearly two months due to her deteriorating condition.
The survivor said the experience made her realize how deeply rooted gender-based exploitation of women remains even in the 21st century. She added that despite education and modern values, women are still often blamed, shamed, and abandoned in such situations across the world.
She further stated that the entire ordeal pushed her into deep depression and left her questioning whether she would ever receive justice, as she continues to face pressure and intimidation while those she alleges are responsible remain free. The survivor expressed hope for justice despite her ongoing distress.
The survivor further added that the suspected man repeatedly told her that “a woman is easy to destroy” and later humiliated her and denied responsibility when her pregnancy reports emerged. She said he called her a “loser” at a time when she was already mentally shattered and completely alone.
What do Pakistani laws state in such cross-border cases?
Advocate High Court Asad Ullah Khan, who is also representing the complainant, stated that since arriving in Pakistan, the suspected man has allegedly continued to threaten the complainant through platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and WhatsApp, warning her not to pursue legal action and stating that he would not spare her if she filed a complaint.
Advocate Khan added that the complainant has also provided documentary evidence and online links in support of her allegations. Based on this information, he approached the IG Office Islamabad and filed a formal complaint on behalf of the survivor, adding that the matter would be taken up with the prime minister and other related offices.
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Advocate Khan said that the alleged conduct outlined in the complaint includes rape, domestic violence, fraud, and financial exploitation.
He added that the complaint cites multiple sections of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), including provisions related to cheating and fraud under Section 420, extortion under Sections 383 and 384, criminal breach of trust under Section 406, as well as other offences involving coercion and intimidation.
The advocate further stated that it is also alleged that pressure was exerted on the complainant to terminate her pregnancy against her will.
The high court lawyer said a complaint is being prepared for submission to the Prime Minister’s Complaint Cell and other relevant institutions, requesting the formation of a special committee to investigate the matter.
GBV Beyond Borders
Gender expert at Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad Dr Rabia Aslam said that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) remains a global issue despite advances in education, awareness, and technology. She noted that while the forms of violence may differ across regions, the roots of patriarchy, control, and gender inequality remain interconnected worldwide.
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Speaking on the issue, Dr Rabia said South Asia, including Pakistan and Bangladesh, continues to face deeply rooted patriarchal family structures that restrict women’s autonomy through social pressure, violence, and cultural norms.
However, she added that countries such as the UK and other parts of Europe also struggle with domestic violence and underreporting, particularly within migrant and Asian communities.
She further pointed out that a growing global backlash against feminist discourse, gender rights, and social sciences is visible through funding cuts and the weakening of gender studies programs in many countries, including Pakistan.
Although societies are becoming technologically advanced through artificial intelligence and digital connectivity, social attitudes toward gender are changing much more slowly, she said.
Dr Rabia emphasized that GBV remains a multidimensional issue shaped by culture, power structures, and political ideologies, and addressing it requires not only laws and policies but also long-term social and cultural transformation.
