Public figures speak out as post-mortem finds no evidence of sexual assault, physical violence
A wave of anger and grief swept across social media following the death of 17-year-old Eshal Fatima in Punjab’s Jhang, where she was allegedly abducted and assaulted, with several public figures including Hadiqa Kiani, Sabeena Farooq, Momina Iqbal, and Mishi Khan speaking out and demanding justice for the deceased.
Eshal, a first-year college student, left home on June 4 after being contacted through a neighbour and being told she would be taken to Multan for clothes shopping, according to the FIR lodged by her father. When she failed to return home, however, her family attempted to contact her on her mobile phone, which they found was switched off. Search efforts also proved unsuccessful.
On June 7, Eshal’s family received a phone call informing them that her condition had deteriorated and that she had been admitted to a private hospital. She then succumbed to her injuries at DHQ Hospital after being allegedly kidnapped four days earlier.
However, the preliminary post-mortem report revealed no evidence of sexual assault or physical violence on the deceased’s body, stating that she died while unconscious. It also noted that she was a diabetic patient and had been using insulin for the past five years.
Prior to the post-mortem coming to light, Singer Hadiqa Kiani took to her Instagram story to share a post on the case, writing, “Another female victim. We demand justice & certainly not a delayed justice!!!”
Screengrab: hadiqakianiofficial/Instagram
The singer also posted statistics on the amount of Pakistani women killed in just four years from violence.
Actor Sabeena Farooq took to her Instagram story to express anger, resharing content about gender-based violence and criticising regressive societal attitudes toward women. Farooq also shared material referencing Pakistan’s ranking in the Global Gender Gap Index and highlighting issues such as harassment, acid attacks, honour killings, and systemic discrimination.
Screengrab: sabeena_farooq/Instagram
Actor Momina Iqbal also took to her story to share a video from the case, commenting on the culture of victim-blaming and saying that women are often judged or discredited instead of the perpetrators being held accountable for the crime.
Screengrab: momina.iqbal/Instagram
“This will also go on the girl and her character, why did she go out, maybe she was in a relationship. People will say it is justified, that it had to happen. Where the evidence can even only do so much because they will say nobody was there to see it. But we will make sure that these people get what they deserve,” she wrote.
Actor Mishi Khan had also reacted to the case on social media, questioning delays in justice, calling for faster trials and stricter punishment for perpetrators. “Why dont such criminals get severe punishment? Why is our justice system so slow? Why can’t there be speedy trials?” she questioned.
Actor Mahira Khan, currently visiting the United Kingdom, addressed the issue of female harassment in Pakistan during a red-carpet interview, expressing anger and stressing that men must speak out against such violence rather than remain silent.
“I am very angry”, she said, adding “I am sure every woman is angry. It is a small thing to be angry but where are the men speaking? Men should stand up. Men should be angry at how this happened.”
The incident sparked broader public debate online, with many users arguing that the case reflects systemic failures in protecting women and calling for urgent legal and institutional reforms.
