Christian Girl Seeks Justice After Alleged Abduction and Sexual Assault in Sahiwal
A 14-year-old Christian girl from Sahiwal was allegedly abducted and sexually assaulted after being forced into a room while collecting chapatis from a clay oven.
Her family faced pressure to withdraw the case, but with BACA’s support they relocated to safety and secured experienced legal representation.
After months of court delays, a forensic report reportedly confirmed that the main accused was responsible for the assault, leading to the rejection of his bail.
BACA continues to support the family as the trial progresses and they courageously seek justice for their daughter.
“This young girl has already endured something no child should ever have to experience. The greatest injustice would be for her suffering to be followed by silence, intimidation or a forced compromise. Her family has chosen courage over fear, and BACA will continue to stand beside them until justice is done and those responsible are held accountable.”
— Juliet Chowdhry, BACA
A Young Girl’s Life Changed Forever
In late 2025, 14-year-old Christian girl Saira George, from Chak 82/6R, Sahiwal, was allegedly abducted and sexually assaulted by Muhammad Zohaib and his alleged associates, Muhammad Bilal, Nimra Shah and Muhammad Shazil.
According to the account provided to BACA, Saira was collecting chapatis from a clay oven when she was forced into the sitting room of Nimra Shah.
She was allegedly threatened and sexually assaulted by Zohaib.
Afterwards, she was reportedly left in an unconstructed plot close to her home.
Her mother, Perveen Bibi, eventually found and rescued her daughter.
The alleged assault was reported to authorities, and Saira underwent a medical examination at Haji Abdul Qayum District Headquarters Hospital, Sahiwal.
The medical examination reportedly indicated repeated sexual assault.
Police registered FIR No. 1452/25 under Sections 375 and 376 of the Pakistan Penal Code, and arrests were subsequently made.
A Family Pressured to Abandon the Case
For Saira’s family, the trauma did not end with the arrests.
According to the family, relatives of the accused, who were considered influential, began putting pressure on them to withdraw the case.
Faced with intimidation and fear for their safety, the family needed somewhere secure to live and legal support to continue pursuing justice.
BACA stepped in to help.
The family was relocated to a safe house through BACA, providing them with protection while the legal proceedings continued.
BACA also arranged legal representation, including the services of prominent Christian lawyer Ch. Javed Sahotra, to help ensure that Saira’s case was properly pursued through the courts.
The Case Reaches the Sessions Court
After police submitted the charge sheet, the Sessions Court in Sahiwal framed charges on 4th February 2026.
The case was heard before Additional Sessions Judge Tariq Mehmood, with the prosecution evidence initially scheduled for 11th February.
However, the hearing could not proceed because defence counsel Ghulam Abbas Kamboh was absent, and the matter was adjourned until 4th March.
The family and witnesses continued preparing to give evidence.
Ch. Javed Sahotra told BACA:
“I am very much confident that the case will be decided soon after the prosecution of evidence.”
But further delays followed.
The evidence could not be recorded on 4th March because one of the witnesses, James Masih, was unable to attend following a tragedy in his family.
The court fixed another hearing for 18th March.
That hearing also could not proceed because Saira was unable to attend due to health problems. The next hearing was scheduled for 16th April.
On 16th April, proceedings were again disrupted because of a lawyers’ strike. The witnesses marked their presence, and the court fixed 30th April for the next hearing.
For Saira and her family, each postponement meant another period of waiting and uncertainty.
The Fight Moves to the Lahore High Court
After the Sahiwal courts rejected Zohaib’s post-arrest bail application, he approached the Lahore High Court on 11th March 2026.
BACA responded by securing the services of Naseeb Anjum, a prominent human rights lawyer in Pakistan, to represent the family’s interests.
The matter came before Justice Abher Gul on 12th March.
The court directed investigating officer Muhammad Nadeem to produce the DNA report at the next hearing.
The case was listed for 20th April, but the DNA report was not produced, and the hearing was adjourned until 5th May.
Naseeb Anjum told BACA:
“As per the record and the circumstances of case, including medical statement of the victim (MLC), there are least chances of bail granted to the culprit from High Court.”
The family continued to wait for the forensic evidence that could play a crucial role in the case.
Forensic Evidence Confirms the Allegation
A significant development came later when the Punjab Forensic Science Laboratory issued its forensic report.
Following consideration of the forensic findings, Justice Abher Gul rejected Muhammad Zohaib’s bail application on 11th June 2026.
According to the information provided to BACA, the forensic report confirmed that Zohaib had sexually assaulted Saira.
The rejection of bail was an important moment for Saira’s family, who had spent months living under pressure and fear while continuing to pursue justice.
Saira Gives Evidence in Court
The case continued at the Trial Court in Sahiwal.
On 24th August 2026, Saira and her mother, Perveen Bibi, gave their statements before Additional Sessions Judge Shazia Cheema.
Ch. Javed Sahotra, representing Saira, told BACA:
“The statements recorded by Saira and her mother Perveen are sound and strongly support the incident of rape. We are hopeful that court will decide the case soon and the culprit will be punished according to the law.”
For a young girl who had already experienced profound trauma, standing before the court and giving evidence required enormous courage.
Her family has continued to stand beside her despite the pressure they say they have faced from the accused’s relatives.
Another Delay as Saira Falls Ill
The court scheduled the next hearing for 12th September 2026.
However, Saira was unable to attend because she was suffering from a high fever and coughing.
The court subsequently fixed 28th September for the next hearing.
A BACA team travelled to Sahiwal to attend the proceedings and support the family. However, the hearing was postponed again and rescheduled for 10th October 2026.
For Saira and her mother, the repeated adjournments have prolonged an already painful process.
Yet they continue to appear when they are able and remain determined to see the case through.
“I Would Never Accept Anything but Justice”
Perveen Bibi has expressed her deep gratitude for BACA’s support.
Without the financial assistance, safe accommodation and legal representation provided by BACA, she believes it would have been extremely difficult to continue pursuing justice for her daughter.
She told BACA:
“I am thankful to the Lord and the BACA for helping me otherwise it could have been impossible for me to stand for justice for my daughter.”
But the family continues to face pressure.
Perveen said that relatives of the accused have attempted to persuade her to compromise.
Her response has remained unwavering:
“The family of culprit are trying to pressurize me to accept a compromise payment but I would never accept anything but justice.”
Under Pakistan’s Qisas and Diyat laws, the family of a murder victim can, in certain circumstances, pardon the accused or agree to a financial settlement known as Diyat (blood money). Such a compromise can allow an accused person to avoid the usual punishment for murder, although courts retain powers to impose punishment in certain cases. Critics argue that these provisions can leave vulnerable families exposed to pressure, intimidation or financial inducements to forgive those responsible for killing their loved ones.
For Perveen Bibi, accepting such a payment would mean sacrificing her pursuit of justice for her daughter. Despite the pressure she faces, she remains determined to see those responsible held accountable through the courts.
BACA Stands With Saira
BACA’s involvement has gone beyond financial assistance.
The organisation has helped provide the family with a safe house, enabling them to live away from the pressure and fear they experienced after the alleged assault.
BACA has also arranged legal representation through Ch. Javed Sahotra and Naseeb Anjum, ensuring that the family has experienced advocates supporting them through both the trial proceedings and the High Court process.
The family’s courage has been remarkable.
Saira, a child who should have been protected, has had to face a traumatic legal process while her family has endured fear, intimidation and repeated delays.
Yet her mother continues to say that they will accept nothing less than justice.
A Family Choosing Justice Over Fear
For Saira’s family, justice is not simply about punishment.
It is about protecting a vulnerable child.
It is about ensuring that the truth is heard.
It is about refusing to allow fear or pressure to silence a family that has already suffered enormously.
The rejection of Zohaib’s bail following the forensic findings was an important step, but the family continues to wait for the conclusion of the trial.
BACA remains committed to standing with Saira and her family throughout this process.
“Saira’s courage reminds us that justice sometimes requires extraordinary strength from those who are already hurting. We must not allow intimidation, financial hardship or repeated delays to exhaust this family into surrender. BACA will continue to walk with them, because every child deserves protection, dignity and justice.”
— Juliet Chowdhry, BACA
As the case continues, please pray for Saira’s healing, for the protection and strength of her family, and for justice to prevail.
Saira’s family has made its position clear: they will not accept a compromise. They want justice for their daughter.
Help Saira and Her Family Continue Their Fight for Justice
At just 14 years old, Saira has endured a terrible ordeal, yet her fight for justice is far from over. Despite intimidation, repeated court delays and mounting expenses, her courageous mother refuses to accept a financial compromise.
But courage alone cannot pay for legal representation, safe accommodation or repeated journeys to court.
BACA continues to protect and support this vulnerable Christian family, but we urgently need your help to ensure that financial hardship does not force them to abandon their pursuit of justice.
Please donate today. Every contribution, however small, will help cover vital legal, travel and safe house costs.
Please also pray for Saira’s healing, her family’s protection and a just outcome in court.
Saira’s mother has vowed to accept nothing less than justice. Help us ensure she does not have to fight alone.
