JHANG: The tragic death of 17-year-old Eshal Fatima has triggered widespread outrage across Pakistan, prompting several prominent celebrities and social media users to demand justice while renewing calls for stronger protections for women and girls.
The case has ignited an intense public debate over violence against women, accountability, and the effectiveness of the country’s justice system, with leading figures from Pakistan’s entertainment industry expressing grief, anger, and concern.
Eshal Fatima’s Death Shocks the Nation
According to the First Information Report (FIR) lodged by her father, Eshal Fatima, a first-year college student from Jhang, left her home on June 4 after allegedly being contacted through a neighbor and told she would be taken to Multan for shopping.
When she failed to return home, her family attempted to contact her through her mobile phone, but it was switched off.
Despite extensive efforts by relatives and local residents, Eshal could not be located.
On June 7, her family reportedly received a call informing them that she had been admitted to a private hospital after her condition deteriorated.
She was later shifted to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.
The incident quickly gained national attention, sparking public concern and widespread demands for a transparent investigation.
Post-Mortem Findings Raise Further Questions
A preliminary post-mortem report later stated that there was no immediate evidence of sexual assault or physical violence on the teenager’s body.
The report indicated that Eshal died while unconscious and noted that she had been a diabetic patient who had been using insulin for the past five years.
Authorities have continued investigating the circumstances surrounding her death, while many members of the public have called for a thorough and impartial inquiry.
Hadiqa Kiani Calls for Immediate Justice
Singer and humanitarian Hadiqa Kiani was among the first celebrities to react publicly.
Sharing information about the case on social media, she demanded swift action from authorities.
“Another female victim. We demand justice and certainly not delayed justice,” she wrote.
Kiani also highlighted broader concerns regarding violence against women in Pakistan, sharing statistics related to female victims of abuse and violence in recent years.
Sabeena Farooq Condemns Gender-Based Violence
Actor Sabeena Farooq also expressed her frustration and sadness over the incident.
Through a series of social media posts, she highlighted the ongoing challenges women face in Pakistan, including harassment, discrimination, acid attacks, domestic violence, and honour-related crimes.
Farooq criticized societal attitudes that continue to normalize or ignore violence against women and emphasized the urgent need for reforms.
Momina Iqbal Speaks Against Victim-Blaming
Actor Momina Iqbal used the incident to address what she described as a persistent culture of victim-blaming.
She argued that women are often subjected to scrutiny regarding their personal lives and choices rather than focusing attention on those responsible for crimes.
“This will also go on the girl and her character,” she wrote.
“People will ask why she went out or whether she was in a relationship, instead of focusing on those responsible.”
Momina stressed the importance of holding perpetrators accountable and ensuring justice is served.
Mishi Khan Questions Slow Justice System
Actor and television personality Mishi Khan also voiced concern over delays in legal proceedings involving crimes against women.
She questioned why severe punishments are often delayed and why cases can take years to conclude.
“Why don’t such criminals get severe punishment? Why is our justice system so slow? Why can’t there be speedy trials?” she asked.
Her comments echoed the concerns of many social media users demanding faster investigations and stronger legal consequences for offenders.
Mahira Khan Urges Men to Speak Out
While attending an event in the United Kingdom, actor Mahira Khan addressed the issue during a red-carpet interview.
Expressing anger over violence against women, she said that men must play a greater role in speaking out against such incidents.
“I am very angry,” Mahira said.
“I am sure every woman is angry.”
However, she emphasized that the responsibility should not rest solely on women.
“Where are the men speaking? Men should stand up. Men should be angry at how this happened,” she added.
Her remarks resonated widely online and generated support from both fans and activists.
Public Demands Accountability
The case has fueled a broader national conversation about women’s safety, legal protections, and institutional accountability.
Thousands of social media users have demanded a transparent investigation and called on authorities to ensure that all facts surrounding Eshal Fatima’s death are established.
Many activists argue that the tragedy highlights the need for stronger mechanisms to protect vulnerable individuals and improve the response to cases involving women and children.
Growing Calls for Reform
As investigations continue, public pressure on authorities remains intense.
Civil society groups, human rights advocates, and members of the entertainment industry continue to urge officials to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that justice is delivered without delay.
The death of Eshal Fatima has become a powerful reminder of the ongoing challenges surrounding women’s safety in Pakistan and has reignited calls for legal reforms, stronger enforcement mechanisms, and greater societal awareness.
For many, the case is no longer just about one family’s loss—it has become part of a larger national conversation about accountability, justice, and the protection of women and girls across the country.
