Christian woman in Pakistan raped by two Muslims while husband serves in the army

A 30-year old Christian woman from Toba Tak Singh district in Pakistan was raped by two Muslim men while her husband was in Peshawar serving in the army.

"The men treated me like an animal, telling me I was a worthless Christian, but I know my God is a great God," Asia Mushtaq said, as reported by the British Pakistani Christian Association. "When I screamed they told me that they knew my husband was away and that I was unprotected. They threatened to kill my child if I did not comply with their perverse demands."

Mushtaq and her 2-year-old daughter were alone in their house when the two men came at night. The attackers knew that her husband, 32-year-old Shakil Khan, was away. They threatened to harm the child if she refused their demands, and bound her wrists and ankles to the bed before sexually abusing her. When she saw that her struggles were futile and she no longer resisted, they untied her and made her do their bidding for five hours.

"They said Christian women are all whores and they would come back and repeat their debauchery if I ever told anyone," she narrated. "I feel so unclean now, but have done nothing wrong. I want these men to be punished and hope the law will protect me."

Mushtaq reported the incident to the police the following day, and two men, Mohammad Zeeshan and Mohammad Razwan, were apprehended on the same day. According to the BCPA, the First Information Report was filed under the Pakistan Penal Code PPC. 376.

The code says, "When rape is committed by two or more persons in furtherance of common intention of all, each of such persons shall be punished with death or imprisonment for life."

The two men have reportedly committed similar acts against Christian girls before but were never convicted. They are from influential families, The Christian Post reports, and the Pakistani Army has refused to help Mushtaq's husband in pursuing justice.

"The army he serves has offered little or no protection despite threats being made against him and his family," said BCPA chairman Wilson Chowdhry. "It pains me to say this but the complex acts of betrayal leave me feeling that Christians have no place in Pakistan's theocratic society."