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LAHORE - The Child Protection and Welfare Bureau rescued a 12-year-old maid from Gujranwala yesterday.

Naheed used to work in the house of former Punjab Minister for Works Liaquat Abbas Bhatti in Johar Town, Gujranwala, and was allegedly tortured by his wife Sadia.

According to sources in CPWB, in their initial interrogation the 12-year-old maid alleged that the former MNA’s wife tortured her because she thought her husband Liaquat Bhatti had an eye on her and she did not like it.

Naheed, who fears revenge by the powerful family, says she feels like trapped in a dilemma. Her medico-legal examination (MLC) has been taken at Mayo Hospital while final reports will be issued today.

“I was tortured by Liaqat’s wife in their Johar Town house. There were two other maids working the same house and are also being treated in the same way,” Naheed was quoted as saying by the CPWB officials.

“For petty mistakes we were tortured with hot rods and knives. Finally I decided to run away from the house and find my family,” the poor girl said in her statement.

A CPWB spokesman told The Nation that some people from Gujranwala contacted CPWB helpline 1121, to which they responded quickly and recovered the girl.

Ruling out the impression that Naheed was ever raped by the MNA or any other member of the family, the spokesman said that the girl’s initial medical treatment was done at Gujranwala DHQ.

“We are waiting for the MLC report. We are identifying the location of the house in Johar Town. As per standard procedure we will lodge the First Investigation Report in Johar Town Police Station against those who tortured her,” the spokesman added.

According to CPWB Chairman Sabah Sadiq, the girl is an orphan and has a brother who works with his uncle in their native village in Gujranwala.

“Both her parents died some years ago. The poor girl was working for 3500 salary in the house. The Bureau often conducts such operations to recover children.

“Naheed is now in protection of Child Protection and Welfare Bureau. We would look after her and ensure she gets justice,” Ms Sadiq said.