Woman Among Three Injured in Peshawar Acid Attack

Imran Takkar

Peshawar: Two unidentified masked motorcyclists threw acid at three Afghan nationals, including a woman, as they traveled in a rickshaw from Medina Hites on Abdara Road. 

The victims, a 28-year-old Afghan woman and three children, including two girls and a boy, sustained burns on their hands and faces from the attack.

The Afghan woman lodged a complaint with the local police that her ex-husband and his driver had threatened to kill her.

According to her statement, two masked motorcyclists attacked them with acid following these threats. The woman had recently remarried, which allegedly displeased her ex-husband.

The police have initiated an investigation, collecting evidence from the crime scene and obtaining CCTV footage to trace the perpetrators.

Read More:https://thepenpk.com/man-allegedly-kills-daughter-due-to-economic-hardship/

Although no arrests have been made yet, the Superintendent of Police (SP) expressed confidence that the suspected attackers would soon be brought to justice.

The victims received first aid at the Hayat Shaheed Teaching Hospital in Peshawar. 

The FIR includes Sections 336B, 109, and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code. 

Legal experts indicate that acid attacks can result in life imprisonment and a minimum fine of Rs 500,000.

Shahwana Shah, Program Director of “Da Hawwa Lur,” commented on the incident, noting a recent surge in violence against women in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, particularly Peshawar. 

Shah highlighted that acid attacks are a severe form of violence that reflects patriarchal power dynamics and aims to destroy a woman’s socio-economic and political life.

Read More:https://thepenpk.com/woman-killed-in-custody-battle-ex-husband-arrested/

She emphasized that the increase in acid attacks and violence against women is due to weak implementation of legislation and a lack of coordination among public institutions.

The women rights activist called for the strengthening of protection legislation and services for survivors, as well as community and behavioral change interventions.

Shah stressed the importance of equipping local communities and stakeholders, especially the police, to counter narratives promoting violence against women.

However, the police continue to investigate the case, promising swift action to ensure justice for the survivors.