KASUR: A seven-year-old girl was allegedly raped multiple times and then murdered, police informed Geo News
Police said that the minor, a resident of Rod Kot area of Kasur, was kidnapped on her way to a tuition centre on January 5. Her body was found in a garbage pile near Kashmir Chowk after four days.
According to the initial postmortem report, the minor was strangled to death after being raped multiple times.
According to sources, when the incident occurred the minor’s parents were in to Saudi Arabia, where they had gone to perform Umrah.
After hearing about the incident, the parents are expected to return to the country today (Wednesday), sources added.
CM directs authorities to immediately arrest culprits
Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif, taking notice of the incident, ordered authorities to immediately arrest culprits.
“Arrest the culprit and start the investigation against them,” he said.
The CM also summoned a report from IG over the matter. The culprits won’t be able to escape punishment, he said.
CM expressed grief with the parents of the deceased girl. “Justice for the parents will be dispensed at all costs,” he said, adding that he will personally look after the case investigation.
People protest high rates of child abuse
As news of the horrific crime spread, people took to the streets and staged a protest on Tuesday. The protesters blocked roads and closed markets. Incident of protesters pushing police officers were also reported near Ferozepur Road.
One of the protesters shared that seven minor girls were kidnapped last year, yet the police failed to arrest a single suspect.
The protest was called off after eight hours when the police assured that the suspects would be arrested.
Traders have announced to protest today (Wednesday) as well. The protest will be staged at Chandi Chowk and Shahbaz Road.
Moreover, people on social media also raised their voice against the incident. #JusticeForZainab was the top trend on Twitter with people calling for immediate action against those responsible.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s Arif Alvi also demanded that the “culprits must be found and punished”.
It hurts me even to look at or tweet the picture of 8 year old Zainab who was raped and killed. Culprit must be found & punished.#JusticeForZainab
I also urge parents & teachers to educate children & embolden them to report & resist predatory sexual advances
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari termed the rape and murder shocking. Bilawal was critical of the provincial government, demanding immediate action against the culprits.
On February 25, last year, a seven-year-old girl was allegedly raped and then strangled to death in Kasur, informed police authorities.
According to reports, the body of a minor was found from an abandoned house near her residence in Ali Park. Police shifted her body to District Hospital for medico-legal formalities, further adding that initial investigations indicate that she was killed by strangulation. Any conclusive statement will be issued after the post-mortem report.
The victim’s family and neighbours protested by blocking Lahore road – they demanded justice and called for stern punishments against the offenders.
