Pakistani Couple Arrested for Alleged Murder of 13-Year-Old Maid Over Chocolates

The teen, employed due to her family's debt, suffered fatal injuries allegedly caused by her employers' abuse.

Police in Rawalpindi arrested Rashid Shafiq, his wife Sana, and their Quran teacher for the suspected murder of 13-year-old Iqra, a domestic worker accused of stealing chocolates.
Iqra, who had been working since the age of eight for a wage of approximately $28 per month, died from severe injuries including fractures and head trauma on February 12, 2025.
The Quran teacher took Iqra to a hospital but left after falsely claiming her father was deceased and her mother was unavailable, according to reports.
The case has ignited public outrage, with the hashtag #JusticeforIqra trending online and renewed calls to address child labor and abuse in Pakistan.
Iqra's father, a farmer burdened by debt, expressed grief over her death and called for those responsible to be held accountable, though successful prosecutions in such cases are reportedly rare.