Father Sets Himself Ablaze Outside Court After Daughter’s Rapist Acquitted

LAHORE: A father set himself on fire outside the Muzaffargarh district courts on Friday after the accused in his daughter’s rape case was acquitted following nine years of legal proceedings. Allah Bakhshaya, the grieving father, poured petrol on himself and ignited the flames in a desperate act of protest against the judicial system that he believes failed his family.

Bakhshaya was rushed to the district headquarters hospital in critical condition, suffering from 45.5% burns, according to Rescue 1122. The court’s decision to acquit the accused was based on a lack of evidence, a verdict that has left the victim’s family devastated and questioning the integrity of the legal process.

This tragic incident highlights the ongoing struggles faced by victims of sexual violence in Pakistan, where many cases remain unresolved due to societal stigma and inadequate legal support. Bakhshaya expressed his anguish over the years spent pursuing justice, noting that his daughter was also divorced by her husband as a result of the trauma from the assault.

As public outrage grows over the acquittal, there are calls for a review of the legal framework surrounding sexual assault cases in Pakistan. Activists and legal experts are urging the government to implement reforms that would better protect victims and ensure that justice is served. The incident has sparked discussions about the need for systemic changes within the judicial system to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.