Pakistan: Following a brutal sexual assault on six-year-old Shumaya Saleem, her family faced intimidation and coercion from the family of the accused, forcing them to flee their home. Through donations to BACA’s Emergency Appeal, the British Asian Christian Association has provided immediate financial support, covered temporary accommodation costs, and is preparing to relocate the family to a secure home for up to one year. However, urgent funds are still needed to secure dedicated legal advocacy to ensure justice and prevent further abuse.  Read more (here)

On 10th December, Shumaya Saleem, a six-year-old Christian girl, was sexually assaulted in Jaranwala by Muhammad Uzair (19). Shumaya had attended extra tuition at the home of Miss Siffat (24), her tutor and the sister of the accused, for lessons in English, Mathematics, and Urdu.

After the lesson ended, Muhammad Uzair took Shumaya into the living room within the residential portion of the premises and sexually assaulted her.

The City Police Station Jaranwala registered FIR No. 2015/25 under Section 376 of the Pakistan Penal Code. A forensic team collected blood-stained clothing and other evidence, and the accused was sent to the Punjab Forensic Science Agency for DNA analysis.

Intimidation, Displacement, and Loss of Livelihood

In the aftermath of the attack, Shumaya’s family faced intimidation and pressure to “compromise” from the family of the accused — a common and deeply troubling practice in Pakistan. Fearing for their safety, the family was forced to flee Jaranwala and take refuge with relatives in another city.

Shumaya’s father, Saleem Masih, a daily-wage construction labourer, lost his employment as a direct result of the displacement and pressure exerted on him to withdraw the case. With no income and no safe home, the family became entirely dependent on relatives for shelter and survival.

Emergency Appeal Enables Immediate Support

On 13th December, a BACA team visited and met Shumaya’s parents, assessing their urgent needs. Thanks to donations received through BACA’s Emergency Appeal, we were able to provide immediate financial assistance and begin safeguarding the family.

While the family has not yet been moved into a permanent safe house, BACA is currently paying one month’s rent to the relatives who are sheltering them. This support ensures that Shumaya’s family is not a financial burden on those caring for them, easing pressure on both households during this critical period.

Planned Relocation and Ongoing Needs

BACA is actively working to relocate the family to their own secure accommodation, where they will be supported for up to one year, providing stability, dignity, and safety as legal proceedings continue.

However, while emergency donations have enabled short-term protection, additional funds are urgently required to secure a dedicated legal advocate. Without strong legal representation, families like Shumaya’s are extremely vulnerable to coercion, delays, and miscarriages of justice. BACA is urgently appealing to supporters to help raise £2,000 to fund an experienced solicitor who can robustly represent Shumaya and her family and ensure this case is pursued to its lawful conclusion. UK taxpayers can increase the value of their gift by 25% at no extra cost through Gift Aid.  Please donate (click here)

Voices from the Family

Saleem Masih expressed deep gratitude for BACA’s intervention, saying:

“When my daughter was attacked, our whole world collapsed. We were threatened, forced to leave our home, and I lost my work. We had nowhere to go. BACA stood with us when we felt completely alone. They helped us survive, supported the family sheltering us, and are giving us hope that my daughter will be safe and that justice is possible. I thank God for BACA and for everyone who has helped us. I believe in God for justice for my child.”

Statement from Juliet Chowdhry, Trustee of BACA

Juliet Chowdhry, Trustee of the British Asian Christian Association, said:

“I am deeply distressed by this horrific attack on a six-year-old child. No child should ever endure such cruelty, and yet in Pakistan we repeatedly see perpetrators acting with confidence that they will escape justice. This sense of impunity is reinforced by systemic apathy and by the abuse of laws such as Qisas and Diyat, which allow perpetrators of serious crimes to evade conviction by paying compensation. Families are then threatened and coerced into accepting these shameful ‘settlements,’ only for offenders to be released and commit further crimes.”