June 28, 2003	Saturday	Rabi-us-Sani 27,1424

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RAWALPINDI, June 27: As many as 5,000 women were burnt to death during the last five years in the twin cities and surrounding areas, Progressive Women Association (PWA) president Shehnaz Bukhari claimed.

She was speaking at a press conference held here at the association office along with some victims of domestic violence.

Ms Bukhari said new methods of torture were being used on women. The latest, according to her, was electrocution. During the last one-and-a-half-month, about 18 cases of electrocution have been reported from two hospitals in Lahore — Government Hospital and Mayo Hospital.

Women are tortured and then expelled from home, she said and regretted that there was no place where such victims could take refuge. She asked the government to establish rehabilitation centres for such women who had nowhere else to go.

The PWA president produced four victims of domestic violence before reporters.

Saima Kausar, a resident of Mohallah Hukamdad, said she was married to Mohammad Bashir four years ago. She alleged that her husband and other in-laws always beat her. “Now, they have expelled me from home. I don’t want separation, but they don’t let me live a normal life,” she said.

Fauzia Perveen from Chak Bigwall, Murree, had a similar problem. She accused her father-in-law of trying to rape her. “When I resisted and complained, I was threatened to be killed.” She also complained of harsh treatment meted out to her by her husband and in-laws. Now she is living with her parents.

Another girl, Raminia, from Allabad, alleged that she was sold by her father about 15 years ago when she was just nine years old. “My husband beats me, and now he has expelled me from house,” she alleged.

Khalil Jan said she wanted the body of her daughter, allegedly killed by her in-laws about three months ago, to be exhumed for postmortem, but no one was entertaining her request.