Areeba was only 16 years old when her life was tragically cut short. On July 10, 2025, the streets of Malir witnessed an unimaginable sorrow. A young girl, who was once filled with the dreams and hopes of youth, was found lifeless in a narrow street just steps away from her home. The heartbreaking discovery of her body by her father, Muhammad Ahmed, marks a devastating moment in a family’s life, one that no parent should ever experience.
The evening was meant to be just another ordinary day for Areeba. She had gone to her uncle’s house to pick up food for her family, carrying with her a dish of khichri—an innocent task that would soon take a tragic turn. Upon returning, her father and younger sister were out visiting a local wedding hall, blissfully unaware of the horror that awaited them.
It wasn’t until they returned home that the knock on the gate came. Neighbors informed Muhammad Ahmed that they had found a body in the street, and their worst fears were confirmed when they realized it was his beloved daughter. Areeba’s body was discovered lying face down, with a white scarf tightly knotted around her neck, her face marred with bruises and injuries. The marks of violence were visible, and a bloodstain on her cheek told a grim story of the brutality she had endured.
In that instant, everything changed for her family. Areeba, the vibrant 16-year-old, was gone. She had been murdered, leaving behind an emptiness that words could never fill. Her grieving family is left with more questions than answers—questions that only a transparent and thorough investigation can begin to address. The police have already launched a murder investigation under Sections 302 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code. Her father has accused unknown individuals in the neighborhood of committing this heinous crime, and authorities have taken three men into custody, including two brothers from the same locality.
Areeba’s brother, Areeb, struggles to put into words the sorrow he feels. “We were four siblings. Areeba had told me she was going to our paternal uncle’s house nearby to get food for our father, and I had asked her to bring some back for me as well,” he shared, his voice heavy with grief. “I went to take a shower, and within 45 minutes, my sister-in-law came rushing in and told us that some men on a bike had murdered Areeba.” The devastation was so immense that Areeb admits it felt like the world around him went dark. The pain of losing his sister in such a brutal way still seems surreal to him.
As the investigation continues, the family remains in a state of limbo, waiting for answers. The police have yet to receive DNA results and are still piecing together the events leading to Areeba’s untimely death. The lack of CCTV footage and the absence of functional surveillance on their street have further complicated matters. Despite these challenges, Areeba’s family remains determined to see justice done. They are holding on to the hope that the truth will come to light.
For Areeba’s parents, the pain of losing their child is unbearable. Every day is a reminder of the life that was taken from them—of the laughter, the dreams, and the future that was so suddenly stolen. But this tragedy is also a call to action, highlighting the alarming prevalence of child abuse in Pakistan. In just the first half of 2024, 862 cases of child sexual abuse were reported, with many more likely to have gone unreported. Areeba’s death is not an isolated incident—it is part of a much larger, deeply troubling pattern of violence against children.
The family’s fight for justice is a fight that extends beyond Areeba. It is a fight for every child who has been subjected to violence, abuse, and neglect. As they await the forensic reports and continue to seek answers, they are not just seeking justice for Areeba—they are seeking a future where no family has to experience this kind of loss, and no child has to suffer the horrors that Areeba did.
The road ahead may be long, but one thing is certain: Areeba’s story will not be forgotten. Her family will continue to demand transparency, accountability, and justice. And as they fight for their daughter, they are also fighting for every child whose voice has been silenced by violence.