The murder after rape of a little girl sparked violent protests in Kasur which claimed at least two more lives. The brutalisation of seven-year-old Zainab also sent ripples of anger and anguish across the whole country.
Politicians and civil society have widely condemned this brutality. The latest rape and murder of a child is the sixth such incident reported in the Kasur district during the last three months, police sources revealed. In 2017, police reported over one dozen such cases in the same district.
According to a report, club-wielding citizens roamed the roads in early hours of the night as police had disappeared following the day-long clashes – in which seven protesters had also been injured. Rangers had been called to restore calm in the town, which is only 20 kilometres from the provincial capital Lahore. Zainab was abducted by a man when she was going to a nearby religious school on January 4. Her body was found in the fields near Elite College on Shahbaz Khan Road, report said. Police investigators believe the child was killed four or five days earlier, on the day of abduction or the next day. Her parents had gone for Umerah, leaving her with her maternal aunt. The FIR of her going missing was registered on the complaint of one of her parental uncles, a day after the abduction. The parents of the poor kid returned from Saudi Arabia, a day after her body was found. The CM Punjab has extended sympathies to the bereaved family and assured that justice would be provided at every cost. Shehbaz reprimanded the police officials and made it clear that criminals must be arrested at the earliest. Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar also took notice of Zainab’s rape and brutal murder. He sought report from the IGP within 24 hours. The army chief had directed all out support to civil administration to arrest the criminals and bringing them to exemplary justice. The back to back incidents of child abuse, abductions, and even murders have triggered fear and panic in the society. The government and relevant institutions take action only when they faced pressure for the society. The police have so far failed to control and eliminate such heinous crimes. This callous murder of Zainab is a big question mark on the law and order situation in our country. It is unfortunate that families of the victims of Kasur scandal are still demanding justice. It is the responsibility of Punjab government to immediately arrest culprit and exemplary punishment should be given to him. The government needs to take measures to eliminate such crimes from the society on permanent basis.
