Tayyaba torture case: child maid's parents decline to pursue case in court

E-Paper | March 11, 2026

The parents of Tayyaba, a 10-year-old child maid allegedly tortured by her employers, told the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday that they do not wish to pursue the case against Additional District and Sessions Judge Raja Khurram Ali Khan and his wife.

A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar had taken suo motu notice of the case of alleged abuse and torture of the child after images of the girl began circulating on social media. Tayyaba had been employed as domestic help in Khurram's home in Islamabad's I-8/1 for a couple of years.

Since January this year, Tayyaba has been residing in Pakistan Sweet Homes, an orphanage managed by the Pakistan Baitul Mal.

Muhammad Azam and Nusrat Bibi, the parents of the young girl, submitted a request for reconciliation in the IHC today and said that false allegations had been levelled against Raja Khurram Ali Khan and his wife.

"He (Raja) and his wife have nothing to do with Tayyaba's torture," the parents explained. "We do not want to pursue the case further."

The court, upon hearing the statement, issued a notice seeking a response from the police by May 5.

Justice Mohsin Akhtar sought an affidavit from Tayyaba's parents regarding the matter.

The copy of the affidavit, available with DawnNews, read, "Due to poverty and financial constraints we placed Tayyaba in the custody of former additional sessions judge Raja Khurram Ali's household."

"She disappeared from their residence on December 27, after which Raja Khurram called me and informed me of her disappearance and that a missing person report was filed in I-9 police station."

"The case against former additional judge Khurram Ali Khan was filed as a conspiracy against him," the affidavit read. "Raja Khurram Ali and his wife, Maheen Zafar, are innocent."

On Feb 10, during a hearing in the IHC, Tayyaba's father had submitted an affidavit to a local court claiming her employers did not torture her, bringing the case back to where it was at the start of the year.

A few days later on Feb 20, Maheen Zafar had submitted a written request to the interior ministry stating that the leader of a "mafia" is conspiring against her and her husband.

"The mafia maligned Raja Khurram Ali Khan with fabricated stories," the request stated, adding that negative propaganda was created via social media reports of Tayyaba's torture.

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Falcon1

Apr 28, 2017 04:27pm

Beyond belief! These parents naturally care more about appeasing the accused then for their own young child. Intimidation by the judge and his wife no doubt a factor in their reluctance to pursue the case. Supreme Court should take notice and issue appropriate orders.

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Muhammed Ali UK

Apr 28, 2017 04:31pm

Undue pressure, people with power know they will get away with anything in Pakistan...sad really.

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zafar ahmed

Apr 28, 2017 04:32pm

Who cares in this country for the poor people !

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khalid

Apr 28, 2017 04:40pm

This is worldly justice system but on Day of Judgment True justice will be done. Sometimes there Makkafat Amal in this world. So if additional judge and his wife are innocent then they should not worry however if they are culprits then they should fear that the consequnces in this world in the form of Makkafat Amal. What a poor can do in Pakistan.

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Ahmed

Apr 28, 2017 04:50pm

@khalid By that time they would have lived their life.

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K.T.H.

Apr 28, 2017 05:08pm

Poor people can never stand against the tyranny of Oppressors. Why isn't the State pursuing this case on behalf of the poor? (Riasat hogi maan kay jaisi)

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Apr 28, 2017 05:24pm

Is there any laws which makes state to pursue criminal case regardless of what parents wants? We all know they are poor and money will make them compromise.Is there a civil case filed by the parties and a criminal case filed by the state??

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Boathetoy

Apr 28, 2017 05:36pm

@Jk why don't you tell us what the point to the story is and we may be able to answer you.

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Alba

Apr 28, 2017 06:13pm

Poor people and uneducated are afraid of the powerful. They can bribe or threaten. Poor people don't know what their rights are.

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JAved mirani

Apr 28, 2017 07:12pm

If CJ Nissar want be serious, he can make this case a water shed moment in justice, should not drop the ball. People are found guilty of murder based on images. there are images of torture ; even recant the allegation, court doesn't have to buy; judges know what pressure poor victims always face in seeking justice. Dead victims don't cooperate in investigation, it the job if state to investigate henious crime, even when victim don't cooperate.

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Imtiaz S. Syed, Attorney at Law

Apr 28, 2017 09:42pm

Tayyaba case: It does not matter that father of child does not want to pursue the case. This is a glaring example of parental neglect as the best interest of child is being destroyed. The court must uphold the best interest of the child. Father of child has sold his child into slavery and thus abandoned parental rights. He should be charged for initiating the abuse of cild and parental gross negligence. The institution presently holding child or a governmental agency or lawyer for child ought be granted guardianship entitling to pursue the prosecution of the case.

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Naeem

Apr 28, 2017 10:43pm

The powerful will abuse the poor girl and get away with it. What a shame. We have lost our humanity

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M.Saeed

Apr 29, 2017 12:19am

Well settled and fed with the valid legal exits for the accused.

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Kais

Apr 29, 2017 06:17am

Well SAID IMTIAZ S. SYED, ATTORNEY AT LAWABOUT 9 HOURS AGO Tayyaba case: It does not matter that father of child does not want to pursue the case. This is a glaring example of parental neglect as the best interest of child is being destroyed. The court must uphold the best interest of the child. Father of child has sold his child into slavery and thus abandoned parental rights. He should be charged for initiating the abuse of cild and parental gross negligence. The institution presently holding child or a governmental agency or lawyer for child ought be granted guardianship entitling to pursue the prosecuti

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Apr 29, 2017 08:24am

@Imtiaz S. Syed, Attorney at Law - Yes! Well stated case. I am not familiar with the legal system's intricacies - but I do think that the accused who employed a 10-year old should at least be charged with perpetuating child labour. In view of the minor's father's actions - I would hope a DNA test is carried out to first establish whether he is really the minor victim's father. Perhaps he is in the business of kidnapping children and then selling them off into slavery? The father's actions also support the idea that the accused (employer) not only employed the minor girl (that should be a crime) but has also perpetuated bonded labour/slavery. From a social angle, I believe it is the DUTY of ALL those who somehow socialise/interact with the accused employer and his wife to socially boycott them - and publicize that boycott!

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d.kumar.

Apr 29, 2017 10:54am

Tayaba's Parents knows it very well that if they go against these people, one day, they will be punished. No one will help them. So they have given such statement.

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