Download 16-year old Uzma Ayub was allegedly kidnapped from her home in district Karak, in southern Pakistan, held captive for one year and repeatedly raped by several men, including members of the police force.
She managed to escape last September. She was six-month pregnant at the time.
Her family has vowed to fight for justice in the face of a fiercely conservative Pakhtun society.
Shahab-ur-Rahman when to visit her in a safe house in Peshawar.
Policemen guard a two-room house in Peshawar.
Inside 16-year Uzma Ayub is feeding her two weeks old baby.
“I wanted to protect the evidence. This baby will prove me innocent. I have lost my brother in this struggle for justice. I have named my baby as Zeba, who who will always keep fresh my hatred against the men who raped me.”
The Pakistan government has been moved Uzma from her village in the remote Karak district to Peshawar and placed her under 24 hour security.
Dr. Main Saeed Ahmad is the police chief of cantonment area.
“It is very important case for us. The Peshawar High Court has issued strict orders for Uzma’s security. Threats against their lives still persist. The accused may try to damage the family and new born baby so the evidence against them is destroyed. However we will foil such plans. Around 10 police men are deployed to secure Uzma’s residence and police accompany her and her family wherever they go.”
But Uzma Ayub says police protection has come too late.
Her brother Alamzeb was murdered in front of the court during her rape trial.
“No one listened to our concerns before. My brother and I were crying out for security. My brother was killed in front of the court. Still our enemies are threatening us. My whole family could be killed if the police security is removed. But I still want justice. The court should make this a test case and hand down harsh punishment so in future no one will dare to commit such a heinous crime again. I was ready for the settlement with accused but prior to this they killed my brother.”
In conservative Pukhtun culture rape victims are often shunned by their families and made to feel the ones at fault.
But Uzma’s family has supported her completely.
Gull Qasim Jana is her mother.
“It was a very cruel action of the culprits. One of my sons has given his life for justice. I can sacrifice my whole family for it. I and my other children could also be killed but we are ready for this. We put every thing at stake for this. We left our home. My other children can not go to school. We want justice and hopefully we will get it. We will also feed the baby as she is innocent.”
The Police have arrested sixteen men and charged them with raping Uzma and killing her brother.
One of the men is a member of the Pakistani army.
Police say they have taken blood samples from the accused men and also from the baby for DNA tests.
Uzma’s older brother Zafranullah is hoping that this will make their case stronger.
“We are hopeful that my sister and slain brother will get justice. We are satisfied with the inquiries conducted by the police on the court orders. The Court is also testing the baby for DNA. We are waiting for the next hearing in the court and hopefully justice will prevail,”
Mian Iftikhar Hussain is the provincial minister for information.
He promises the family that the gang rape case will be solved.
“The real culprits will be exposed after DNA test. We have to wait for the court’s decision. But at present out government has provided full security to the girl and her family. She has been living in official residence in Peshawar. Government is taking care of all other requirements. All the men accused including the police officers have been arrested. Our Women’s association is protecting Uzma and children association is taking care of the new born baby.”
However Uzma mother is not satisfied with the amount of help she is receiving from the government.
She says they need urgent finance assistance to feed her seven member family.
The next hearing into the case will be on the 15th of February when DNA evidence will be presented in court.
