Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has rejected Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s claims after he shared an article on X linking an old “revenge rape” case in Pakistan to Sharia law.
The incident, which occurred in 2018 in Toba Tek Singh, involved a tribal decision allowing the rape of an accused man’s sister in retaliation. Musk’s post, although shared without comment, was widely interpreted as an attempt to portray the act as sanctioned by Islamic law.
The post drew sharp criticism online, with many pointing out that such practices stem from illegal tribal customs, not Sharia or Pakistani law.
Replying on X, Asif clarified:
“It was a tribal arrangement, which had nothing to do with sharia or councils, absolutely incorrect. Twenty people were arrested and prosecuted.”
According to reports, the case began when a man raped a woman in Pirmahal. After the victim’s family rejected pleas for forgiveness, they demanded that the accused’s sister be assaulted in return. Both families accepted this arrangement, bypassing legal authorities.
Once the affair came to light, police intervened, arrested several people involved – including women from both families – and began prosecuting.
