A Pakistani teenager studying in Italy has returned after allegedly undergoing a forced abortion at the hands of her family.
19-year-old Farah had been studying in the city of Verona and became pregnant a few months ago, BBC reported.
In February, she was taken back to Pakistan by her family and later appealed to her friends, asserting that she was forced to terminate the pregnancy.
Pakistani police conducted a rescue for her in Islamabad last week.
For several days, Farah was cared for at the residence of the Italian ambassador in Islamabad until she returned to Italy. She arrived at Malpensa airport in Milan and is to discuss her situation with the Verona police.
In a message published by the Italian media, Farah claims, “They [her family] sedated me, tied me to a bed and forced me to have an abortion”.
Farah’s story has emerged in the wake of the death of another Pakistani woman, amidst claims that the previous crime was an honour killing.
26-year-old Sana Cheema was murdered weeks ago. She wanted to marry a Pakistani-Italian man from Italy against the wishes of her family, according to her friends in Brescia, Italy.
Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano appreciated the collaborative efforts of the Pakistani authorities in the case. He stated: “Farah has finally returned to Italy and is now in a safe place”.
It was reported that her family had shifted to Verona in 2008. Farah met her fiancé during her studies in Verona and became pregnant.
She reached out to social services initially in September and had received protection from a local centre that aids and shelters women who face gender violence. Her father was consequently reported to authorities for claims of maltreatment. Farah eventually reconciled with her family, and travelled back home to Islamabad under the impression that her brother was getting married.
Her situation was reported by her friends, who reported to the teachers at her college in Verona.
According to a social services official, her family had kept her under strict observation and had stolen her documents.
Since Farah is not an Italian national, Verona police and the Italian foreign ministry collaborated with the Pakistani authorities. She was traced to a residence in Islamabad.
Published in Daily Times, May 26th 2018.
