Updated 09 Jun, 2020 02:11pm

Faryal Makhdoom and Amir Khan launch Zohra Shah Child Protection Fund

After 10-year-old Zohra Shah was beaten to death by her employers for releasing a set of expensive parrots from a cage in Pakistan, the inhumane act sparked discourse on the failure of labour laws and its inability to protect children.

At such a time, boxer Amir Khan and wife Faryal Makhdoom have stepped up to launch a child protection fund in the victim's name, who succumbed to her injuries after being tortured and allegedly sexually assaulted.

The Zohra Shah Child Protection Fund aims to protect innocent children from human rights violations across Pakistan. Faryal took to social media to announce the news.

"I am going to reach out to Zohra's family and do whatever I can to help them and make sure they never have to send their daughters to work again," she said. "I'm going to support their family. Such are an acts of kindness and grace to humanity," she said.

The social media influencer also claimed she was receiving multiple messages regarding why the family sent their minor daughter to work.

"They didn't," claimed Makhdoom. "The father has told us that he has 6 kids and he sent Zohra to Islamabad with her khala (maternal aunt) to study there. The khala then put Zohra to work where she was beaten to death."

She also mentioned the family's living conditions were unfortunate, and that Zohra's grandfather mentioned they were offered Rs 6,000 for settlement, which was turned down.

"My team at Amir Khan Foundation visited Zohra's parents and siblings today. We have assured them that we will get justice for Zohra, and ensured them that they will all receive a good education. We also have their word that they will not be coerced into any financial settlement from Zohra's murderers."

"Finally, they are humbled at our child protection fund in Zohra's name, which will help thousands of children in the years to come, until we eradicate child abuse from Pakistan completely."

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