RAWALPINDI: A couple has been arrested on the charge of torturing their 10-year-old disabled maid in Satellite Town.

The girl from Sahiwal with a congenital right foot disability was working as a domestic servant in ‘B’ Block of Satellite Town.

The couple accused of torturing the girl have been arrested by the Banni police after an FIR was registered against them.

They were sent to Adiala jail on a 14-day judicial remand after being produced in the court of a duty magistrate on Sunday.

The girl was hired by the couple through a private company based in Islamabad about six months ago.

The incident came to light when Tariq Mehmood, a security guard living in the neighbourhood of the couple, heard screaming of the girl from the house.

“Torturing and screaming of the girl had become routine,” Mr Mehmood said in his statement.

Syed Ali Abid Naqvi, senior district officer Child Protection Bureau, told Dawn that the girl was shifted to the bureau and her medical examinations were carried out at a government hospital.

She will be produced in court on Monday for further legal proceedings, he said.

She was forced to work 12 hours a day and given leftover meals to eat.

“My employer used to slap and beat me with sticks,” she said in her statement recorded with the Child Protection Bureau.

Mr Naqvi said soon after the incident was reported, a team from the CPB along with police reached the house and and shifted her to the bureau.

He said efforts were being made to contact the parents of the girl.

Published in Dawn, January 18th, 2021