Tandlianwala Couple Arrested for Aborting Baby Girl

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Authorities in Tandlianwala have arrested a couple for allegedly arranging an illegal abortion of their six-month-old unborn daughter and abandoning her body near a drainage gutter. The case, widely seen as driven by gender-based bias, underscores ongoing societal challenges around sex preference.

Incident Overview

According to police sources, Muhammad Ehsan, a labourer, and his wife Meraj Bibi, residents of Tandlianwala City, already had three daughters and one son. After a routine ultrasound revealed that Meraj’s fourth pregnancy was another girl, frequent arguments reportedly broke out between the couple. The husband’s preference for a male child escalated domestic tensions.

Meraj Bibi allegedly sought help from a traditional, unlicensed midwife to perform an illegal dilation and curettage (D&C) procedure. As a result, she delivered a premature six-month-old baby girl. The newborn was reportedly abandoned near a gutter in Mahi Chowk, where local residents discovered the body and alerted the police.

SHO Sheikh Shoaib Ahmad responded to the scene, recovered the infant’s remains, and launched an investigation. Within 24 hours, police traced the case back to Meraj after questioning several midwives. During interrogation, she confessed to the abortion and said her husband helped dispose of the remains. Both were taken into custody, and a case was registered under Section 338-C of the Pakistan Penal Code, which deals with illegal abortions and can carry a sentence of up to ten years in prison.

Legal and Social Implications

Police described the case as a tragic consequence of gender discrimination. “This incident stems from societal pressure and ignorance,” said SHO Ahmad. The decision to terminate the pregnancy solely because of the fetus’s sex reflects deep-rooted cultural preferences for sons in some parts of Pakistan.

Under Pakistani law, abortion is only legal when it is necessary to save the life of the woman or as essential treatment before the fetus is considered viable. Once the fetus has developed limbs, as in this case, abortion becomes a punishable offense. The lack of access to safe, regulated abortion services has led many women to seek dangerous procedures from unqualified practitioners.

Gender-biased abortions and female infanticide remain persistent issues. Incidents involving abandoned newborn girls have been reported in several cities, raising concern over the country’s approach to gender equity and maternal healthcare. Health experts have long called for greater public education, legal enforcement, and healthcare access to address such tragedies.

Ongoing Investigation

Authorities are continuing the investigation and have promised strict legal action against those involved. Police are also gathering further evidence, including statements from healthcare providers and residents who discovered the body.