Rs10m announced for helping arrest Kasur victim’s murderer

On the directives of Shehbaz Sharif, a joint investigation team has been formed to probe the Kasur incident

The situation in Punjab’s Kasur city remained tense for the second day as the protest against rape and murder of a minor continued, Express News reported on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the government of Punjab has announced a reward of Rs10 million for citizens who help the police trace and arrest the suspect involved in Zainab’s murder. It was also announced that the families of the two people who were killed by police firing on Tuesday would be given Rs3 million each. One member of both the families will also get a job, said the provincial government.



On the directives of the Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, a high-level joint investigation team (JIT), comprising of members from both civil and army institutions, has been formed to probe the Kasur incident.

The city remained paralysed as a legion of people kept visiting the victim’s parents to offer their condolence. The eight-year-old girl was raped and killed in Kasur, days after she had gone missing from her home.

She had gone missing five days prior to being found dead. The family and community took to the streets to protest after the horrific incident forcing all markets to shut down and the city to come to a standstill.

The protest has yet to subside even after officials assured the protesters that the culprits will be brought to justice. A complete shutter-down was witnessed on the second day with enraged people blocking Bagh Chowk from all four sides.

The protesters also blocked the Ferozpur road where they have gathered and set ablaze tractors and tires, chanting slogans against authorities' inability to arrest the culprit.

The house of PML-N's MPA Naeem Safdar Ansari was also vandalised after which clashes between police and protestors erupted. The police resort to tear-gas shelling and baton-charge to disperse the angry protesters.

Meanwhile, Punjab Bar Council has also called for a province-wide strike.



 

During the protests in the city on Wednesday, at least two men were killed as police responded to the protestors. Their bodies have been handed over to the families.

I will not rest until I get you justice: CM Punjab

Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif met Zainab’s grieving parents and family members in Kasur on Thursday morning. He also prayed for the departed soul.

وزیر اعلیٰ پنجاب محمد شہباز شریف قصور میں مقتولہ زینب کے گھر پہنچے ، جہاں انہوں نے مقتولہ کے اہل خانہ سے ملاقات کی اور واقعہ پر افسوس اور تعزیت کا اظہار کیا۔#JusticeForZainab pic.twitter.com/nmEyKZdS37

— PML(N) (@pmln_org) January 11, 2018

He expressed sadness and offered condolences for the horrific incident. “Until I get you justice, I will not rest,” said Shehbaz. “The whole nation cries for Zainab and what happened to her. It is my duty and responsibility to ensure that she gets justice.”

“Whoever has perpetrated this crime is a horrible criminal in the eyes of the government and the people. He will not be able to escape the shackles of law and justice,” Shehbaz added.

“The government will help Zainab’s family in every capacity, and we stand behind you in every aspect,” he told the family members.

Meanwhile, an FIR was lodged against the policeman who opened fire on the protestors on Wednesday, killing at least two men.



The victim’s brother said he was on his way to home with his brother when they reached DC office in Kasur. “There was a protest going on against the brutal murder and rape of a minor when police opened the fire,” the FIR read.

“My brother, Shoaib Aslam, received two bullets and died on the spot,” it added, while the brother asks the authorities that the policeman be arrested for firing at the protestors who were condemning the incident rather peacefully.

Punjab CM wants to influence Zainab’s family: PAT 

“Today, the people of Kasur are grieved over the brutal killing of an eight-year-old innocent girl, Zainab, [and] tomorrow such incident could happen in other cities. The entire nation has to stand united against rulers and system that have failed to provide them justice,” said Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) General Secretary Khurram Nawaz Gandapur.

Instead of taking actions against the culprit, the PAT general secretary alleged, Shehbaz Sharif was trying to influence Zainab’s family. He continued to claim that the provincial government deputed a corrupt station house officer in Kasur on the directives of the Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah.

Addressing a conference organised by the Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan in Lahore on Thursday, Gandapur also announced to launch an agitation campaign against the rulers this month on behalf of his party.

People don't trust police anymore: Imran 

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PT) Chief Imran Khan on Wednesday addressed the tragic incident in Kasur urging the need for action to assure such incidents don't take place anymore.

"I still can't comprehend the effect this would have. People came out and protested, they don't believe in the police anymore," said the PTI chief during his opening remarks.

"After the APS attack we saw the formulation of the National Action Plan (NAP). The question remains what we should do now. Have we formulated any system to keep our girls safe," asked Imran.



Reiterating the fact that the recent Kasur murder case was the 12th of its type, Imran stated these incidents have instilled fear in the hearts of parents.

The PTI chief also brought up the Kasur scandal of 2015 saying if that had been taken seriously, the country would not have had to face what took place recently.

"How can Rana Sanaullah say it is the fault of the parents," asked Imran, further saying the Punjab government can do nothing except suspending police officials.

He further said reforms were needed to make sure the police institution isn't politicised. "We need an intelligence bureau that does not blackmail us. When they already know that there have been 12 dead was it not the responsibility of IB to investigate into this matter? The institutions are running a mafia." said the PTI chief.

"We are changing K-P police. Shehbaz has just changed the uniform of Punjab police," quipped the PTI chief saying the Punjab government had only spent on infrastructure and not security.

Addressing the issue of aerial firing during protests that led to the death of two, Imran said people don't trust the police anymore.
"Police wasn't for the public," he stated and added that the Sharif brothers have spoiled the police system in Punjab.

"Criminals were inducted in the police force to protect the Sharifs," said Imran further stating the Sharifs have 2,500 policemen for their security and have spent Rs7 billion on security for themselves.



Bringing up the Model Town incident in Lahore, Imran likened the Punjab police reaction from 2014 to what was witnessed in Kasur.

"The Model Town incident showed how the police is in their control. The victims haven’t provided justice as yet, something which can be witnessed by the entire nation."