A COUPLE in north-east Pakistan were detained today on suspicion of murdering their 13-year-old maid, for allegedly stealing chocolates.

The girl, identified only as Iqra, succumbed to multiple injuries in hospital last Wednesday, the BBC reported.

A preliminary police investigation found evidence of torture and frequent abuse.

An autopsy is underway to assess the full extent of her injuries, and police told the BBC that they were still awaiting the final medical report.

The case in Rawalpindi has sparked outrage, with the hashtag #JusticeforIqra garnering tens of thousands of views and reigniting debate over child labour and domestic worker mistreatment.

“This is not just a crime, it’s a reflection of [a] system that enables [the] rich to treat [the] poor as disposable,” one person wrote.

In Punjab province, children under 15 cannot legally work as domestic workers.

Iqra had worked as a maid since age eight. Her father, a 45-year-old farmer, said he sent her to work due to debt.

After working for several employers, she joined the couple, who have eight children of their own, two years ago.

She was earning about £23 per month.

About 3.3 million children in Pakistan are engaged in child labour, according to Unicef.