Recently, a tragic incident involving the death of a 9-year-old girl named Fatima Fariro, who worked as a domestic maid at a local mansion in Khairpur, Pakistan, has sparked outrage and demands for justice. The girl’s body was found under mysterious circumstances, leading to a case being filed by her mother, Shabnam Khatoon, under Sections 302 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
In response, the Sindh government formed a four-member medical board to carry out the exhumation and postmortem analysis of Fatima’s body. The procedures were completed at a graveyard in the Naushahro Feroz district, where she was buried.
The medical board consisted of experts from the Dow University of Health Sciences and the Karachi health department, along with specialists in forensic medicine. The process involved the collaboration of nearly 100 individuals, including police officials, district administration, and health department personnel.
The aim of the procedures was to determine the cause of Fatima’s death and ensure justice for her. The medical board will now prepare a report after consulting with relevant authorities in Naushahro Feroze.
Additionally, the medical board has preserved the body’s viscera for chemical analysis and is expected to provide a provisional report soon.
Background of the Case
Fatima’s father initially claimed that his daughter was suffering from a stomach ailment, as indicated by doctors when she was taken to a private hospital. However, she tragically passed away in her home after being discharged from the hospital.
Allegations of torture emerged when videos of the girl with visible signs of abuse went viral. The police team, which obtained these videos, met with social activists from the area to investigate further.
Following the viral videos, the police took the matter seriously and sought the exhumation of Fatima’s body. The key suspect in the case has been arrested and remanded into police custody.
In another development, the Sindh Human Rights Commission (SHRC) found serious flaws in the initial FIR (first information report) filed regarding Fatima’s death. The commission called for the inclusion of relevant sections in the case related to child protection, bonded labor, forced labor, and torture.
The SHRC has directed the police to conduct a fair and transparent investigation into the murder, incorporating these sections if warranted, for the sake of human rights.
The case is ongoing, with a hearing scheduled for August 21, where an officer of the rank not below Deputy Superintendent of Police will present a report before the SHRC.