Irshad Bibi is the widow of Akbar Masih. Her former residence was Shafi Wala Chowk, Mohallah Isah Nagar, Kasur, but she is currently a resident of Asif Town Lahore.
Her husband died in 2019. They have four children:
1. Zafar Iqbal (Son, 43, Married)
2. Uzma (Daughter, 35, Married)
3. Najma (Daughter, 33, Married)
4. Asma (Daughter, 18, Lives with her mother)
According to Irshad Bibi, her younger daughter, Asma, was only fifteen years old when they were living alone in a rented house. Since Irshad Bibi was unable to work to support the family, Asma began working as a domestic helper.
She worked at the houses of various landlords, including the house of the accused, Muhammad Naeem, who is a married man with two children.
The Abduction and DeceptionOn April 24th 2024, after Asma finished her work at Muhammad Naeem’s house and stepped outside, he stopped her. He told her about the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) and promised he could register her name to secure monthly financial support. He informed her that she would first need to obtain a birth certificate. He coerced her into going with him, insisting he could help her complete both tasks immediately. Asma, being uneducated and persuaded by the offer of financial aid, agreed.
Muhammad Naeem took her on his motorbike to the District Court in Kasur. Since Asma is uneducated, he took her thumb impression on various documents. Following this, he took her to his private workplace (a gas agency) where he raped her. He later dropped her off at her house.
Alleged Forced Marriage and ConversionA few days later, he allegedly sent police officers to Irshad Bibi's house. Muhammad Naeem claimed that Asma had embraced Islam and married him, and that her family was now forcibly detaining her.
Legal Proceedings and Case FilingFollowing this distressing event, on May 9th 2024 Irshad Bibi submitted an application to the B-Division Police Station in Kasur against Muhammad Naeem, and subsequently moved to Lahore.
The police registered an FIR (First Information Report) for rape against the following
accused:
1. Muhammad Naeem (Son of Islam)
2. Ghulam Murtaza (Son of Shafaqat Ali)
3. Ghulam Rasol (Son of Khuda Bakhsh)
4. Muhammad Bashir (Marriage Registrar)
All the accused were granted bail by the court. Irshad Bibi struggled to pursue the case effectively because she was unable to afford the necessary legal fees.
On June 20th 2025, the police submitted the challan (charge sheet) to the trial court. Irshad Bibi learned about CLAAS (Center for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement) through reliable sources and approached the organization for legal assistance to seek justice for her daughter. CLAAS is now pursuing her case with determination to seek justice for the minor Asma.
