Editorial by the writer, published in Dawn on Sept. 18, 2005


Misery unending for Sonia Naz



The continuing misery of Sonia Naz should put to rest the views of those in this country who think that rape is used by some as a means to seek a better life in the West. What has happened to Ms Naz so far is heart-rending, and the worst part is that the end seems nowhere in sight. It has now been several weeks since she made a series of shocking allegations of rape, torture, graft and illegal detention of her and her husband against members of the Faisalabad police. The Punjab government had ordered a judicial inquiry which has been conducted by a district and sessions judge while the Punjab police launched its own probe, headed by a DIG.

The victim however did not express too much confidence in either inquiry and made her reservations quite clear but regrettably they were not addressed. The judicial inquiry seemed not particularly receptive to her, amid reports (which were not denied) that the person heading it was related to one of the main accused. In the other probe, Ms Naz had expressed scepticism in the ability of the police to conduct an impartial probe because one of their own was involved in the crime. Things worsened for her particularly when her husband sent her a letter saying that he was divorcing her. The reasons that he quoted were a sign that in a society like ours the odds are heavily stacked against rape victims. Instead of prosecuting and ostracizing the perpetrators of such crimes, many in our society end up examining and scrutinizing the rape victim, especially her character which is inexcusable and the last thing that the victims needs. The least the government can do is to ensure the registration of an FIR against the accused, so that the law can take its course.