Okara woman raped by ex-husband

A woman from Okara was subjected to sexual assault by her ex-husband on January 7, Express Tribune has reported. 

The man, identified as Muhammad Azam, allegedly assaulted his ex-wife after breaking into her room in Okara within the jurisdiction of A-Division Police Station in the city.

Swiftly responding to the complaint, the police conducted multiple raids and arrested Mohammad Azam.

The initial investigation suggests that Azam is a resident of the 26-2R village, where he had married the victim, Anjuman Bibi, almost 13 years ago.

The couple had four children, but domestic disputes led to a divorce in 2020.

However, after the divorce, Azam allegedly entered into a relationship with his ex-wife’s younger sister, Sidra, consequently having two illegitimate children with her.

This relationship also came to an end and Azam married another woman named Saba, with whom he has one child.

Police have confirmed that on the day of the incident, Azam visited his ex-wife's house accompanied by his present wife, Saba, to meet his children. 

The couple decided to stay overnight because of bad weather conditions.

Later at night, the accused allegedly entered his ex-wife’s room and raped her.

The victim immediately contacted her brother, Usman Ashraf, who came to her aid, but Azam fled the scene before his arrival.

Local police officials were informed through an emergency call on 15, and they registered a case under the relevant sections for assault in the Pakistan Penal Code.

District Police Officer (DPO) Muhammad Rashid Hidayat told the media that the police took Azam into custody during a raid, and the victim has been sent for a medical examination.

Further investigations are underway.

The crime rate is rapidly increasing in the region of Okara as Punjab Police's official website reports that a local footballer was also arrested on January 3 on charges of sexual assault.

The FIR suggests that the girl's family approached the suspect to help her join the football academy as she was interested in playing football. 

On the day of the incident, the suspect came to the girl’s house and asked her to provide admission-related information. The girl’s mother left the house to bring food. 

Upon her arrival, she found her daughter weeping. The girl told her mother that the suspect assaulted her at gunpoint.

The mother called the police, but the suspect had escaped before the police arrived. The victim’s mother registered a case against the suspect on charges of rape and the police claimed to have arrested the suspect afterwards.