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Khadija Siddiqui symbol for Pakistani women’s struggle against violence
19-6-2018
An Nahar newspaper spotlighted 23-year Khadija Siddiqui who became the symbol for the struggle of Pakistani women against violence, particularly her determination to put behind bars the assailant who attacked her in broad daylight in one of Lahore’s neighborhoods and who is still at large. Khadija, a law student, recounted to France Press the details of the incident which took place in May 2016. She said the culprit, who is a classroom fellow and once a friend of Khadija, opened the door of the car and stabbed her 23 times in the neck, back and arms, and was sentenced to 7 years in prison. However, Khadija went on to say, the father of the attacker, who is a prominent lawyer, appealed the ruling and the Lahore High Court decided to acquit the aggressor in early June. This unleashed outrage and condemnation throughout Pakistan where thousands of women are killed every year by men who often evade punishment. Anger and uproar exacerbated with the official release of the judicial verdict which prompted the court in June 13 to take up the case and announce the beginning of hearings in the summer. For her part, Khadija expressed regret for the hindrances she faced to prevent her from claiming her legal right, noting that she has been a victim of blackmail and libel. She concluded by stressing the immense moral support she received from her family, namely her father who contends to give a lesson to those who offend, kill or injure women in his country. (An Nahar, June 15, 2018)
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