On June 3, 2013, a tragic and deeply disturbing incident occurred in the Kasur district of Punjab, Pakistan, where three women belonging to the Christian community—Arshad Bibi, Sajida Bibi, and Surraya Bibi—became victims of severe harassment and brutal violence. The incident began with a seemingly minor dispute between the husbands of these women and a local Muslim landlord. The conflict escalated after the landlord accused the Christian family of allowing their goats to damage his crops.
What followed was an appalling display of inhumanity. The three women were violently beaten and subjected to unimaginable humiliation. Their clothes were torn off, and they were forced to endure the ultimate degradation of being paraded naked through the streets. This public and brutal act of violence was a blatant violation of their dignity and human rights, highlighting the deep-seated prejudice and discrimination faced by minority communities in Pakistan.
Despite the severity of the incident, it is deeply concerning that no action was taken by the highest authorities in the country. The Prime Minister of Pakistan, the Chief Justice of Pakistan, and the Chief Minister of Punjab all remained silent, effectively turning a blind eye to this heinous crime. Their inaction further perpetuated the culture of impunity that allows such atrocities to occur, leaving the victims without justice and protection.
Chairman Sajid Sandhu’s Intervention
In the aftermath of the Kasur incident, the Chairman of I-LAP, Sajid Sandhu took decisive action by raising the issue with key political leaders in Pakistan. Recognizing the severity of the situation and the lack of response from the authorities, the Chairman engaged directly with the Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan, one of the leading political parties in the country.
During their discussions, Sajid Sandhu, Chairman of I-LAP, emphasized the gravity of the inhuman treatment inflicted upon the Christian women in Kasur. He highlighted the broader implications of such incidents, particularly the ongoing persecution and marginalization faced by religious minorities in Pakistan. The Chairman urged the PTI leader to bring this issue to the attention of Parliament by submitting a Calling Attention Notice, a parliamentary procedure designed to address urgent matters of public importance.
This intervention aimed not only to seek justice for the victims but also to initiate a broader dialogue on the protection of minority rights in Pakistan. By advocating for parliamentary action, I-LAP sought to ensure that such heinous crimes do not go unpunished and that the voices of vulnerable communities are heard at the highest levels of government.
