Intikhab and her family lived at a cattle farm in Chak No. 42 village in the Sangla Hill area of Nankana Sahib District, where she and her husband had been employed since May. That night, her husband had been sent out of town on work by a relative of the family’s employer. Alone at home with her daughter, Intikhab says three men entered her home and sexually assaulted her.

Assault Took Place in Victim’s Home

The men identified by Intikhab were Muhammad Mohsin, Zahid Gujjar, and a man known only as Arsalan. According to her, the attack happened around 9 p.m. while she was caring for her 3-year-old daughter. Intikhab says the men threatened to kill her and her family if she reported the crime.

She told her husband and her mother about the attack as soon as he returned later that night. Despite the death threats, they immediately went to the local police station to report the crime. However, their attempt to file a First Information Report (FIR) was met with verbal abuse.

Sub-Inspector Kamran Shahzad rejected their request, refused to register the case,e and ordered female Constable Irum to remove them from the premises. Intikhab described being slapped and forced out of the station. The family was reportedly humiliated during their initial attempt to seek justice.

Police Refused to File Complaint

The following day, Shahzad reportedly summoned the family back to the police station, where he demanded that Intikhab swear on her daughter’s head to verify her account. Although he then sent her for a medical exam, the hospital lacked available doctors, and the examination did not occur that day.

For more than a week after that, authorities failed to take further action. Intikhab’s family had received no communication until June 21, when they returned to the station themselves. Shahzad once again treated them rudely, but eventually ordered the FIR to be filed after pressure from the victim and her husband.

The FIR was officially registered on June 22, nearly 11 days after the attack. That same day, police arrested the three suspects. Authorities first detained Mohsin, then arrested Gujjar and Arsalan later that day. However, their arrests were not yet noted in any official police log, raising concerns among the victim’s supporters.

Bribery Alleged After Arrests

Following the arrests, Intikhab was brought to the hospital again for a medical exam. During this visit, Constable Sikandar allegedly tried to bribe her with 150,000 Pakistani rupees, equivalent to roughly $530 U.S. dollars. She says he urged her to drop the case and let the matter go.

When recounting the incident, Intikhab said she was terrified and devastated. “I cried and shouted for help, but there was no one to rescue me,” she said. “What happened to me has made my child deeply insecure—she cries every time I’m not near her.”

She added, “I may be poor and a Christian, but that doesn’t mean I don’t deserve justice. I ask the chief minister of Punjab, also a woman, to address the police misconduct and take action against those who hurt me.”

Human Rights Group Offers Legal Aid

The case has drawn the attention of Raah-e-Nijaat Ministry and the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. Chairman Safdar Chaudhry confirmed that his organization is now supporting the family and has engaged a Christian attorney to represent them in court.

“This case highlights the obstacles that vulnerable communities, especially Christian minorities, face when trying to access justice,” Chaudhry said. “Instead of protecting the victim, the police appeared to be helping the accused.”

Chaudhry also emphasized the power dynamic involved. “There’s no denying that the suspects are well-connected, which is why the police were hesitant to act firmly,” he said. “It’s disgraceful that our institutions still show such bias toward those with influence.”

Determined to Seek Justice Despite Pressure

Pakistan ranks among the eight most difficult countries in the world for Christians, according to the 2025 World Watch List published by Open Doors. Minority groups often face systemic obstacles in accessing justice through law enforcement mechanisms.

Despite continued threats and offers intended to silence them, both Sheeza and her husband remain steadfast in their legal pursuit. They hope their case will lead to greater accountability, not only for the perpetrators but also for those who tried to obstruct justice.

The couple continues to reside in Punjab Province, with the support of local advocates who have vowed to help them through the legal process. Their case may now serve as a test for how Pakistan’s justice system can or cannot uphold the rights of religious minorities.