Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lahore (Agenzia Fides) – Tarfa Younis a twelve year old Christian orphan girl was sold to 55 year old Bashir a Muslim and repeatedly raped. Fides heard from “The Voice”, organisation, founded and directed by lawyer Aneeqa M. Anthony, that “the practice of raping and forcing Christian girls into marriage continues in Punjab, especially in suburban areas”.
Tarfa Younis, an orphan since 2005, was placed in the custody of her two older brothers Shamaun and Asif. A year ago they sold their sister to 55 year old Bashir, a Muslim, who forged a false marriage certificate and started to abuse the girl regularly. The man’s nephew Arshad also began to abuse Tarfa, who was beaten and held prisoner. One day the girl managed to run away and with the help of a passer-by reach the home of an uncle, a brother of her deceased father, who reported the case to the police. Now Tarfa is in the care of the local social services and “The Voice” organisation is following the case guaranteeing legal assistance. Mr Bashir and nephew are in prison, and Tarfa’s brothers, Shamaun and Asif who since disappeared, are wanted by the police. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 23/7/2015)
