Pakistan: Sumaira George with her mother, Nasreen George, and elder brother, Sahil Masih, standing together as they continue their fight for justice with the support of BACA.

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Rai Muhammad Naeem  Karal Court has dismissed the application filed by Nimra Shah, an accomplice in the rape of 14-year-old Sumaira George, and has formally framed charges against Muhammad Zohaib under Sections 375 and 376 of the Pakistan Penal Code. The next hearing to present prosecution evidence is scheduled for 11th February 2026. BACA’s legal team remains confident that justice will be delivered.

Nasreen George, mother of Sumaira George, standing outside a courthouse with the assistant of Choudhary Javaid Sahotra, solicitor for Sumaira George.

Full Story: BACA Continues Legal Support for Sumaira George

In late 2025, Sumaira George, a 14-year-old Christian girl from Chak 82/6R, Sahiwal, was abducted and sexually assaulted by Muhammad Zohaib and his cohorts, Muhammad Bilal, Nimra Shah, and Muhammad Shazil. While collecting chapatis from a clay oven, Sumaira was forced into Nimra Shah’s sitting room, threatened, and brutally raped by Zohaib. She was later left in an unconstructed plot near her home and rescued by her mother, Nasreen George.

Medical examination at Haji Abdul Qayum District Head Quarters Hospital, Sahiwal confirmed repeated assault. FIR No. 1452/25 was registered under Sections 375 and 376 of the Pakistan Penal Code, and arrests were made.

Following the arrests, the family faced pressure from the culprits’ influential relatives to drop the case. With BACA’s financial and legal support, the family relocated to a safe house, and Choudhary Javaid Sahotra, a prominent Christian lawyer, was hired to ensure justice for Sumaira.

Latest Court Developments

Dismissal of Nimra Shah’s Challenge:

Nimra Shah, whose sitting room was used in the assault, had obtained pre-arrest bail. On 29th December 2025, she filed a court application challenging the authenticity of Sumaira’s medical report, attempting to intimidate the family.

On 12th January 2026, Mr. Sahotra appeared twice before the court, while Nimra Shah and her counsel did not attend. He argued that the application was baseless, citing:

Police had followed proper procedure according to the law.

The hospital-issued medical report did not establish any opinion that could be legally challenged.

The report’s validity could only be questioned if the DNA results by PFSA failed to implicate Muhammad Zohaib.

On 23rd January 2026, Nimra Shah’s counsel again failed to appear. Mr. Sahotra argued for a decision, and the court dismissed the application, removing a key obstacle to justice.

Charges Framed Against Muhammad Zohaib:

Following the submission of the police challan, the court on 4th February 2026 formally framed rape charges against Muhammad Zohaib under Sections 375 and 376 of the Pakistan Penal Code. The next hearing to present prosecution evidence is scheduled for 11th February 2026.

Mr. Sahotra, BACA’s solicitor, expressed confidence:

“Our evidence is very strong, and I believe the case will be decided very soon. The culprit will meet the consequences of committing rape against a minor.”

Sahil Masih, Sumaira’s elder brother, said:

“I am very hopeful that my sister will get justice from the court and her rapist will face maximum punishment for his crime. We are thankful to BACA for coming to our aid and empowering us to stand for justice.”

BACA’s Continued Commitment

BACA remains steadfast in providing safe housing, financial support, and expert legal representation to Sumaira and her family. By stepping in, we ensure that survivors of sexual violence are not left to face threats and intimidation alone. With our support, they are protected, empowered, and given a voice in the pursuit of justice.

Cases like Sumaira George’s highlight the urgent need to safeguard vulnerable minority communities and hold perpetrators of violence fully accountable under the law.

You can make a real difference. By donating [here], you help BACA continue to support this family and others like them, giving hope, safety, and the chance for justice to those who need it most.

Juliet Chowdhry, Trustee for British Asian Christian Association, said:

“It breaks my heart to hear of such a young girl, like Sumaira, subjected to this unimaginable violence. Since our inception, BACA has fought tirelessly to secure justice for girls and women who are too often silenced by fear, threats, or laws that favour compromise over accountability. Cases like this are why we must continue winning in court—to set a precedent that perpetrators cannot act with impunity. I am deeply disgusted that systems such as Qisas and Diyat still allow perpetrators to escape justice through so-called compromise deals, often under pressure or intimidation of the victims. More must be done to protect these girls. I urge people in the Western world to use their voices to pressure their politicians to call for justice in Pakistan and ensure that the rights and safety of vulnerable girls are never ignored.”