Army offers help to bring killers of Farishta to justice

PM seeks explanation from IG, DIG, suspends SSP

ISLAMABAD: The military has offered help to bring to justice the rapists-killers of a 10-year-old girl who was abducted, brutally murdered and her body left to decompose in the bushes on the edge of the federal capital.

The body of 10-year-old Farishta was recovered on May 20 – five days after she went missing from Ali Pur Bank Stop area, in the precincts of Chak Shahzad police station.

The girl’s father, Gul Nabi, claimed that his daughter was tortured, sexually molested before she was put to death mercilessly. He also accused the police of apathy and reluctance to register an FIR.

Farishta murder case: Three neighbours taken into custody as investigation continues

The police say they are investigating if she was raped and tortured. The gruesome discovery sparked a protest on Tuesday by family and relatives and outrage on media, especially on social media.

The chief military spokesperson took to Twitter to condemn the “brutal murder of innocent Farishta”.

Brutal murder of innocent Farishta is highly condemnable. Those responsible must be brought to justice. Army is ready to provide any support in this regard. We must rise and join to protect our future generations from vile and despicable elements who prey on vulnerable children.

— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) May 22, 2019

“[The] Brutal murder of innocent Farishta is highly condemnable. Those responsible must be brought to justice. Army is ready to provide any support in this regard. We must rise and join to protect our future generations from vile and despicable elements who prey on vulnerable children,” DG ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor said on the popular microblogging site.

Minutes earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan took direct action in the matter and suspended SSP Abid and made SP Umar Khan OSD (Officer on Special Duty).

According to sources, the prime minister also asked IGP Amir Zulfiqar and DIG (Operations) Waqaruddin Syed to explain why timely action against errant police officers was not taken despite the fact they had been nominated in the FIR.