Sahiwal, Punjab: A 14-year-old Christian girl, Saira George, was abducted and brutally sexually assaulted in Chak 82/6R, Sahiwal in late 2025.

Despite strong prosecution evidence and ongoing trial proceedings, the accused Muhammad Zohaib’s bail was rejected by the Sessions Court Sahiwal.

Zohaib has now moved the Lahore High Court in a renewed attempt to secure post-arrest bail as legal proceedings continue.

The victim’s family, supported by the British Asian Christian Association (BACA), continues to pursue justice amid pressure and repeated delays.

In a deeply disturbing case from Sahiwal, Pakistan, the legal battle for justice for 14-year-old Sumaira George continues to intensify as the accused, Muhammad Zohaib, shifts his bail application to the Lahore High Court after rejection at the Sessions Court level.

Case Background

In late 2025, Sumaira George, a young Christian girl from Chak 82/6R, Sahiwal, was abducted while performing a routine household errand of collecting chapatis from a clay oven. She was forcibly taken to a nearby residence belonging to Nimra Shah, where she was threatened and subjected to a brutal sexual assault by Muhammad Zohaib, allegedly with the involvement of his associates Muhammad Bilal, Nimra Shah, and Muhammad Shazil.

After the assault, she was abandoned in an under-construction plot near her home. Her mother, Nasreen George, found her and immediately sought medical help. A medical examination at Haji Abdul Qayum District Headquarters Hospital, Sahiwal confirmed repeated sexual assault.

An FIR (No. 1452/25) was registered under Sections 375 and 376 of the Pakistan Penal Code, leading to the arrest of the accused persons. However, the family reportedly faced pressure from influential relatives of the accused to withdraw the case.

With support from the British Asian Christian Association, the family was relocated to a secure safe house to protect them from intimidation and possible retaliation. Legal representation was secured through Choudhary Javaid Sahotra to ensure the case is robustly prosecuted and that Sumaira receives the justice she deserves.

While this remains a highly winnable case, the ongoing costs of maintaining a secure safe house and funding experienced legal advocacy are becoming increasingly burdensome. To continue providing protection and legal support for this vulnerable family throughout the court proceedings, we urgently need to raise a further £1,000.

Your support can help us continue safeguarding this family, pursuing justice for Sumaira, and ensuring that those responsible are held fully accountable for their crimes.

You can help us continue this vital work by donating (here).

James Masih, Altaf Masih, Nasreen Bibi, BACA-funded advocate Ch. Javed Sahotra, and Shavaiz Javed Sahotra gathered ahead of a court hearing

Trial Proceedings at Sessions Court Sahiwal

The case progressed to the Sessions Court Sahiwal, where charges were formally framed on 4th February 2026. The court, presided over by Additional Sessions Judge Mr. Tariq Mehmood, scheduled hearings for prosecution evidence beginning 11th February 2026.

However, proceedings faced repeated delays:

11th February: Adjourned due to absence of defence counsel Ghulam Abbas Kamboh

4th March: Adjourned due to witness unavailability following a family tragedy

18th March: Adjourned due to the health issues of witness Saira George

16th April: Court disrupted due to lawyers’ strike

Despite setbacks, witnesses remained prepared and present at several hearings. Lawyer Ch. Javed Sahotra expressed confidence that the case would move swiftly once evidence recording begins.

The next hearing was scheduled for 30th April 2026.

Bail Attempt at Lahore High Court

After his post-arrest bail was rejected by the Sessions Court in Sahiwal, Muhammad Zohaib approached the Lahore High Court on 11th March 2026 in a further attempt to secure bail. The British Asian Christian Association (BACA) engaged prominent human rights lawyer Naseeb Anjum to represent the victim’s interests at the higher judiciary level.

The case was placed before Justice Abher Gul, with the first hearing held on 12th March 2026. During proceedings, the court directed the investigation officer, Muhammad Nadeem, to submit the DNA report at the next hearing scheduled for 20th April 2026.

However, on 20th April, the investigation officer failed to produce the required DNA evidence, leading the court to adjourn the matter and fix 5th May 2026 as the next hearing date.

Speaking to BACA, Naseeb Anjum stated, “As per the record and the circumstances of the case, including the medical legal report (MLC) of the victim, there are minimal chances of bail being granted to the accused by the High Court.”

The victim’s mother, Nasreen Bibi, expressed her gratitude, saying, “I am thankful to BACA for helping us fight for justice for my innocent daughter.”

BACA continues to support the family through a safe house arrangement and has engaged both Ch. Javed Sahotra and Naseeb Anjum to ensure sustained legal representation, with the aim of securing justice and appropriate punishment for the accused.

Juliet Chowdhry of the British Asian Christian Association said:

“This case exposes the brutal reality faced by minority Christian girls in Pakistan, who remain dangerously vulnerable to sexual violence, coercion, and intimidation. Too often, perpetrators believe they can act with impunity—protected by social influence, wealth, and legal loopholes such as the Qisas and Diyat framework, which can weaken accountability in serious sexual violence cases.

What we are witnessing is not isolated abuse, but a wider pattern of systemic failure where vulnerable Christian and Hindu girls are left exposed to exploitation, including forced marriage cases highlighted repeatedly by the United Nations. These concerns are not abstract—they are lived realities for children like Sumaira.

Despite these challenges, we are cautiously encouraged by the progress in this case so far. The courts have refused bail at the Sessions level, key medical and evidential material remains under scrutiny, and the High Court has already demanded critical DNA evidence. Each step demonstrates that justice is still possible when pressure and proper legal representation are maintained.

We ask supporters and the global Christian community to continue praying for Sumaira and her family—for courage, protection, and ultimately a successful legal outcome. We also continue to pray for reform in Pakistan so that no child is left so exposed to such horrific crimes again.”