Hafizabad, Punjab – June 3, 2025 — A harrowing incident has emerged from Hafizabad district, where a woman was allegedly gang-raped in front of her husband by a group of eight armed men. The assailants not only committed the heinous act but also filmed the assault and threatened the couple with death should they report the crime.
According to the First Information Report (FIR) filed by the victim, the couple was abducted and taken to a secluded area near a graveyard. Despite the husband’s desperate pleas, the attackers subjected them to physical violence, sexual assault, and robbery. The FIR states, “We delayed reporting the incident because the suspects had threatened us, saying that if we took legal action or got a medical examination done, they would kill us.” The victim further revealed that the perpetrators uploaded the footage of the assault online, compounding their trauma.
Hafizabad District Police Officer (DPO) Atif Nazeer confirmed that a case has been registered against the suspects, four of whom have been named in the FIR. “The suspects are being identified using video footage, and police raids are currently underway,” he stated. The couple has undergone a medical examination, and investigations into other legal aspects are in process.
This incident underscores the persistent issue of sexual violence in Pakistan, despite the presence of stringent anti-rape laws. Under the Anti-Rape (Investigation & Trial) Act of 2021, the punishment for gang rape is either the death penalty or life imprisonment. However, such cases continue to surface, highlighting the need for more effective enforcement and societal change.
In response to the rising number of sexual assault cases, the Punjab government has announced plans to expand the number of Special Sexual Offences Investigation Units (SSOIUs) across the province. Approximately 150 additional units are to be established to provide better services to women and ensure thorough investigations of such crimes.
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