RAWALPINDI – A Rawalpindi additional sessions judge has sentenced Raja Muhammad Shoaib to life imprisonment for sexually assaulting his niece and fined him Rs500,000, according to a court ruling issued on February 18.
Shoaib was found guilty under Section 376(iii) of the Pakistan Penal Code, which addresses the rape of a minor. The judgment further states that if he fails to pay the fine, he will serve an additional six months of simple imprisonment. He also has the right to appeal the verdict within 30 days.
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The case was reported on November 22, 2023, following an FIR filed by the victim’s father. According to the complaint, he had left his children in Shoaib’s care while attending a funeral. Upon his return, his daughter, visibly distressed, disclosed that her maternal uncle had repeatedly assaulted her and threatened to kill her if she spoke out.
The case was registered at Saddar Wah police station, and the victim was taken to THQ Hospital, Taxila, for a medical examination.
Despite strict anti-rape laws in Pakistan, which include penalties ranging from a minimum of ten years to the death sentence, sexual violence remains a serious issue in the country.
