Jacobabad polio worker claims in-laws, husband expelled her from home after sexual assault incident

The female polio worker, who was raped while on duty in Jacobabad, claimed that she was expelled from home by her in-laws and husband after they learned about the sexual assault against her.

Jacobabad Deputy Commissioner Zahoor Murri wrote a letter to the Sindh government requesting financial assistance and a government job for the victim who was raped while on duty.

The letter stated that the victim, Abida Unnar, was forced to leave her home by her husband. She is now staying with her children at her father's house.

DC Murri requested that the woman be awarded Rs5 million in financial assistance and offered a government job.

Jacobabad MNA Aijjaz Hussain Jakhrani also announced financial assistance of Rs1 million for the victim.

Meanwhile, IG Sindh Ghulam Nabi Memon took notice of the incident. DIG Pir Mohammad Shah visited Jacobabad to meet with police officials and speak with the victim.

DIG Shah told the media, quoting the victim, that she was receiving death threats from her in-laws.

The female polio worker was allegedly raped at gunpoint on September 11 while returning home after administering polio vaccinations.

The incident occurred in Allah Baksh Jakhrani village, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Moladad police station.

However, the woman denied the sexual assault allegations in the Jacobabad session court, claiming that her phone and valuables were stolen by the suspects.

A day later, the victim provided a statement to the court admitting that she was sexually assaulted. She also requested to be relocated to her parents' home.

The District and Sessions Judge criticised the police officials for "spoiling" the case and ordered the formation of a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.

The woman's lawyers stated that their client was pressured by police officials to retract her statement.

Later, DC Murri and SSP Jacobabad Sumaira Noor Channa said in a press conference that the victim was sexually assaulted and could not mention her ordeal due to being traumatised.

The suspect involved in the incident had already been apprehended by the police. A deputy superintendent of police (DSP) will lead a JIT to investigate the matter.