Mashal Sahir

This is just one case that has been reported. The fact is that there are millions of Shazias out there who are forced to work at a young age and who suffer cruelty or may even lose their lives because of such injustice and their cases never get reported

On January 23, 2010, an innocent 12-year old child Shazia was reported to have been tortured to death. She had been employed as a maid in Advocate Naeem’s house who, along with his family members, including his wife, son and sister-in-law, has been accused of inflicting torture on her. According to her parents, Advocate Naeem told them that their daughter had been admitted to Jinnah Hospital and when they arrived, Shazia was already dead. They brought her dead body back to their residence because the police had refused to register a case or conduct an autopsy. It was only after the incident was widely reported in the media and authorities at the highest levels took notice that the police registered a case and took the body for a post-mortem. Shazia’s parents have accused Advocate Naeem of trying to bribe them with Rs 15,000 to keep quiet. Fortunately, after pressure from high-ups, the police have arrested the main accused. According to the post-mortem report, Shazia had been physically abused for a long period of time and the wounds on her body prove that she had been beaten up ruthlessly with some sharp, pointed tool.

This case clearly shows that the child labour laws, according to which a child cannot be employed before the age of 15, have been violated. Moreover, the cruelty inflicted by Advocate Naeem and his family that eventually killed the little helpless child is criminal. Even though Advocate Naeem, himself a practitioner of the law, was completely aware of the child labour laws existing in the country, he appointed a 12-year old girl as a maid at his house. By all means, the case should be impartially investigated and Advocate Naeem and his family should be punished according to the law. However, one question still remains: who is to be blamed for such an injustice?

This is just one case that has been reported. The fact is that there are millions of Shazias out there who are forced to work at a young age and who suffer cruelty or may even lose their lives because of such treatment and their cases never get reported. In my opinion, all of us are to be blamed for this. Our society, culture and attitudes towards the poor and the minorities play a major role in causing such injustices. There is no sensitivity to violence whatsoever. According to an estimate, 47 percent of the families in Pakistan endure violence inflicted upon them by their own family members. A husband beating up his wife or a parent thrashing his/her children without any real need is a common aspect of our society. Due to exposure to repeated violent episodes, the children living in such a household accept it in their lives as a matter of routine and thus violence prevails.

Another issue is the parents’ irresponsibility towards their children. Most families, especially in the low-economic class, consider family planning a sin. They do not realise that their duty as parents does not end at giving birth only. Making the children healthy, responsible adults, educating them, teaching them moral values and preparing them in such a way that they could handle the pressures of life is also a part of their job. We have to understand the responsibility of bringing another life into this world. It is very common in our society for people who cannot even afford a loaf of bread to give birth to six or seven children, knowing fully well that they will not be able to provide the child with the necessities of life. This, in turn, gives birth to child labour. When these people are unable to provide food for themselves and their children, they force the children to work in violation of the child labour laws. The Shazia murder case also reflects her parents’ apathy towards her. As stated by the post-mortem report, Shazia had been tortured for a long period of time. Where were her parents when she was being beaten up? True, Shazia was a maid at Advocate Naeem’s house, but she was only employed there. She had not been sold to that family. Why did not her parents bother to visit their child and inquire about how the family she was working for were treating her?

This case is an extremely tragic incident for all of us. It is not only an insult to the law, but also an insult to humanity. It shows how shallow and low we are and if we do not raise our voices now, we will continue to drift into this darkness until we remove all the difference between humans and animals. We are all responsible because our negligence as a society played a part in letting such a crime take place. Will you change your thinking and raise your voice so that justice prevails or will you continue with your ways and become a part of such injustices? You be the judge.

Mashal Sahir is a freelance writer and can be reached at mashalsr@hotmail.com