Politicians have condemned the Kasur incident in which a minor girl was allegedly raped and murdered. The body of the minor identified as Zainab was found in a garbage pile on Tuesday, police said she was kidnapped on January 5.
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.
The horrific crime perpetrated in Kasur is devastating. Pakistan needs to reevaluate how it deals with such crimes, especially those against children. My prayers and heartfelt sympathies with the family. We must all stand with victims of abuse. https://t.co/YLEmW5sBXU
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) January 10, 2018
“Ten incidents of minors’ rape and murders had been reported in Kasur and eleven in Sheikhupura alone last year. It seems some parts of Punjab have been turned into hell for the children, especially the girls but Sharif brothers appear to have abandoned their duty as rulers,” the PPP Chairman said in a statement.
He said that gory incident of children rapes and murders have shaken the society and any tolerance by Sharif brothers to perpetrators of these crimes won’t be accepted. He demanded that rapists and killers of every innocent child should be brought to book and none of them should go scot-free.
Bilawal Bhutto reiterated that protection of children was top priority of PPP and crimes against the children would be sternly dealt with.
He expressed sympathies with all those parents who suffered the agonies and assured that PPP stands in solidarity with them. PPP will raise voice against these atrocities on our innocent children at every forum, he added.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman in a tweet said: “The condemnable and horrific rape of the minor had once again exposed how vulnerable children are. “This is not the first time such horrific acts have happened.
The total degeneration of the Punjab police was apparent once again today in Kasur when they opened fire on the unarmed protestors who were raising their voice against this horrific incident. https://t.co/w7aO2eqtun
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) January 10, 2018
We have to act swiftly to punish and ensure that our children are protected.”
Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also spoke up against the incident, demanding immediate punishment of the culprits. “The beasts who have disrespected our daughters should be punished immediately,” he said.
He stressed that an example should be made of such beasts so that “no one has the courage to engage in such repugnant acts.”
The condemnable & horrific rape & murder of little Zainab exposes once again how vulnerable our children are in our society. This is not the first time such horrific acts have happened. We have to act swiftly to punish the guilty & ensure that our children are better protected. pic.twitter.com/9f7OM3hYT1
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) January 10, 2018
PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz called for the culprits to not only be brought to justice but also made an example of.
گرفتار کر کے ایسی سزا دیں کہ پھر کسی کو ہماری بیٹیوں اور بچوں کی بے حرمتی کی ہمت نہ ہو۔ https://t.co/ixMGDmbz3q
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) January 10, 2018
Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken notice of the incident and demand immediate action.
Deeply pained about murder of a 8-year old girl in a child molestation case. Those societies that cannot protect its children are eternally condemned. Not going to rest till the perpetrators of this dastardly act are apprehended & given severest possible punishment under the law.
Shehbaz Sharif also presided over a meeting of police and administration officials. Made it absolutely clear to them that lip service would not work. I want the culprits involved in this heinous crime behind the bars. Those failing in their duties will be proceeded against. Very painful incident!” the chief minister tweeted.
Just presided over a meeting of police & administration officials. Made it absolutely clear to them that lip service would not work. I want the culprits involved in this heinous crime behind the bars. Those failing in their duties will be proceeded against. Very painful incident! https://t.co/FFSBbNhtrr
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) January 10, 2018
On the other hand, a shutter down strike is being observed in Kasur against Zainab’s murder whereas enraged lawyers have also boycotted judicial proceedings at district bar in protest and demanded early action into the matter.
Deeply pained about murder of a 8-year old girl in a child molestation case. Those societies that cannot protect its children are eternally condemned. Not going to rest till the perpetrators of this dastardly act are apprehended & given severest possible punishment under the law
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) January 10, 2018
گرفتار کر کے ایسی سزا دیں کہ پھر کسی کو ہماری بیٹیوں اور بچوں کی بے حرمتی کی ہمت نہ ہو۔ https://t.co/ixMGDmbz3q
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) January 10, 2018
A First Investigation Report (FIR) has also been lodged against the assailants on the directives of Chief Minister of Punjab (CM) Shehbaz Sharif, who strongly condemned the heinous act and also expressed solidarity with the bereaved family.
Just attended the janaza of the innocent child zainab in Kasur. I have no word to describe this barbarity and the scene was heart wrenching. May Allah Almighty save Pakistan from these rulers.#JusticeForZainab pic.twitter.com/RLKkR7sn6t
— Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri (@TahirulQadri) January 10, 2018
#JusticeForZainab she was only 7 years old !!! Zainab was an innocent child and she was horrifically tortured & murdered, my heart breaks for her family.
— Aseefa B Zardari (@AseefaBZ) January 10, 2018
May Allah give them strength #UniteAgainstChildAbuse
Seems like the Punjab Government is more interested in saving their power rather than protecting the honour, dignity & respect of our daughters.
— Syed Mustafa Kamal (@KamalPSP) January 10, 2018
I request the Supreme Court to take immediate Suo Moto action and apprehend the perpetrator(s).#JusticeForZainab
Showbaz, your "Good Governance" is confined to gimmicks only. Here is Zainab's father, exposing your Darbari Police, whose only job today is to keep Sharif Mafia safe. You must hang your head in shame & worry about the day when you'll be held accountable, IA pic.twitter.com/6sIQdaifMh
— Jahangir Khan Tareen (@JahangirKTareen) January 10, 2018
Strongly condemn Punjab Police's use of force against protestors in Kasur, resulting in 2 deaths! Hasn't Showbaz already taken enough lives in Model Town that he now wants more? Shame on him and Punjab Police Gullu Butts who can’t catch criminals but do kill innocent citizens
— Jahangir Khan Tareen (@JahangirKTareen) January 10, 2018
Merciless punishments for such remorseless killers is the only solution to stop such inhumane & barbaric acts. If we don't make examples out of these beasts they will not stop killing our children.#JusticeForZainab
— Dr Farooq Sattar (@DFSMQM) January 10, 2018