July 15, 2008	Tuesday	Rajab 11, 1429

LAYYAH, July 14: Kot Sultan police raided the house of a farmer on Saturday night (July 12) and rescued a 15-year-old girl kidnapped from the shrine of Bibi Pak Daman in Lahore last week.

Police learnt that Akram Khaira, of Mauza Pir Jagi Sharqi, had detained Saima in his house. When police raided, the accused fled the house. Farzana and Shabana, daughters of accused Khaira, told police their father had bought Saima for Rs100,000 four days ago for marriage from their neighbor Muhammad Sultan Jutt.

Saima told Dawn Parveen, alias Pathani, met her at Bibi Pak Daman shrine and requested her (Saima) to get her to a hotel at the railway station. At the hotel, Parveen offered her a glass of water and called a taxi driver on mobile phone. After 10 minutes, a green metallic car arrived at the hotel, and Parveen offered her a ride back to the shrine.

Saima added when she got in the car, she fell unconscious. When she regained consciousness, she found herself at the house of Sultan Jutt in Layyah.

Saima, who claims to be a resident of Ibrahim Colony in Lahore Cantt, alleged Parveen had snatched gold earrings and Rs1,500 from her. She alleged that she had been tied with a rope during her four-day stay at Akram’s house.

She said her parents had passed away in her early age and now she lived with her brother Maroof, a Wapda employee, while her other brother Sarwar was a motor mechanic.

She said she had been suffering from arthritis for some time and visited the shrine to pray for her health.

Police registered a case against Sultan Jutt, Akram Khaira and Parveen under sections 371-A, 371-B, 342 and 376 of the Criminal Penal Code.

The judicial magistrate sent Saima to Darul Aman after recording her statement.

Faiza Zaffar, lawyer and human rights activist, demanded the chief minister and the inspector general order an inquiry into the issue.