Christian girl raped, held from medical care

Christian girl raped, held from medical care

MALHE KI, Pakistan — Threats by the Muslim family of a villager in Punjab Province of Pakistan who raped a 7-year-old Christian girl prevented her from receiving hospital care for two days, sources said.

Targeted under the assumption of impunity for Muslims who attack Christians, the young daughter of a farmhand in Malhe Ki village had gone out April 20 to a neighborhood shop when Fakhar-e-Alam Nagra and another man attacked her from behind.

Nasreen Joyce, the victim’s paternal aunt, said the girl’s father, Iqbal Masih, looked after the cattle of Zulfiqar Nagra, an uncle of the primary suspect. When the girl’s father approached the Nagra family, Zulfiqar Nagra threatened him and later held him hostage.

Aneeqa Maria, who as head of The Voice Society helped the family obtain police, medical and legal help, said the girl was a “soft target” because the rapist assumed that her family as Christians would not be able to stand up to Muslims. (Morning Star News)