Catholic Woman Brutally Assaulted in Punjab as Police Obstruct Justice
July 17, 2025
A 20-year-old Christian woman was gang-raped in front of her child in Punjab as police delayed filing her case and pressured her to stay silent. CPRP condemns the injustice and demands swift legal action.
On the night of June 11, 20-year-old Sheeza Intikhab, a Catholic woman from Chak No. 42 village in Sangla Hill, was gang-raped by three Muslim men—Muhammad Mohsin, Zahid Gujjar, and Arsalan—inside her home while her 3-year-old daughter watched in horror. At the time, Sheeza’s husband had been deliberately sent out of town by Mohsin, a relative of their landlord.
The couple, hired in May 2025 as caretakers on a cattle farm owned by Malik Nadeem, were provided accommodation on the premises. On the night of the attack, the perpetrators allegedly forced their way into the family's living quarters and assaulted Sheeza in front of her child. After the assault, they issued death threats to silence the family.
Despite the risks, Sheeza and her husband approached the local police station in Sangla Hill to file a report. Instead of receiving protection, they were met with hostility. Sub-Inspector Kamran Shahzad allegedly refused to register a First Information Report (FIR) and verbally abused them. When they protested, Constable Irum physically assaulted Sheeza and forced them out of the station.
The following day, Shahzad forcibly brought the family to the police station, compelling Sheeza to swear on her daughter’s life to affirm her statement. Although she complied, she was denied a medical examination at the hospital due to the alleged unavailability of a doctor—a clear violation of legal protocol in sexual assault cases.
For the next nine days, no action was taken. On June 21, following renewed efforts by the family, the police finally registered the FIR and arrested Mohsin, with the other two suspects apprehended on June 22. However, the arrests were not formally documented in the police register, raising concerns of external interference and bribery. One officer allegedly offered Sheeza PKR 150,000 (approx. $530 USD) to withdraw her complaint.
Safdar Chaudhry, Chairman of Raah-e-Nijaat Ministry and a member of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), condemned the police conduct, stating that the case highlights the barriers to justice faced by Pakistan’s Christian minority. His organization, along with local pastors, intervened to support the family only after hearing of their ordeal.
The Christian Persecution Relief Pakistan (CPRP) also issued a strong condemnation, emphasizing the systemic nature of such injustices:
Over 50% of rape and forced conversion cases involving Christians in Punjab go unreported due to police intimidation and bias.
In 2025 alone, more than two dozen similar incidents, with only 15% reaching the courts.
The case demonstrates how poverty, gender, and religious identity intersect to obstruct justice for marginalized communities.
Pakistan, where over 96% of the population is Muslim, ranks #8 on the 2025 Open Doors World Watch List of countries where Christians face extreme persecution.
Despite continuous threats and mounting pressure, Sheeza and her husband remain determined to pursue justice. CPRP calls on both local and international human rights bodies to ensure accountability and protection for victims like Sheeza.