A superintendent woman at a welfare centre in Lahore has revealed that powerful government officials in Punjab are using young orphan girls for sexual favours.
The woman identified herself as Afshan Latif and claimed she is being persecuted by the Punjab government for speaking up about this matter. She shared this matter over social media in a series of videos. In the videos, she explains that in April of this year, she was responsible for overseeing the Kashaha (also known as Darul Amaan). She replaced the superintendent before her as they were accused of bringing strangers into the Kashana late at night. After her appointment, Latif claims that the illegal activity at the centre did not stop. In an attempt to end this, she filed a complaint to her department against the Director-General of the Kashana, Afshan Kiran Imtiaz. In the complaint, she claims that Imtiaz was pressuring underage orphan girls to marry high ranking government officials. She further explained that the underage girls were between the ages of 15-17 and the purpose of pressuring them into marriage was so that they could engage in sexual acts with the officials who include favoured bureaucrats and provincial minister. In the video message, she claims that following her complaint an inquiry was launched by the inspection team of Chief Minsiter Usman Buzdar. Additionally, Latif explains that upon filing the complaint, she was immediately suspended from her post during the first phase of the inquiry. Imtiaz was also removed from his post. She alleges that the inquiry team has been putting pressure on her to retract the complaint and statements and remain quiet about the situation. When she refused, the budget of the shelter was frozen and the orphan girls were left with no clothing, food or education. Latif also claims she was arrested with her husband at one point. Following the release of these videos, a representative from the government of Punjab released a statement on Twitter claiming that an inquiry had been launched regarding the allegations of forced marriages taking place at the Kashana. Keep up to date with more news at ProperGaanda: Guru Nanak Academic Chair To Be Set Up At Punjab University