Shocking beyond belief

In recent years, cases of sexual abuse are occurring in different parts of the country with sickening regularity. The remains of three minor boys were recovered on Sept 17 in Chunian tehsil of Kasur district, Punjab. The police suspect that the boys were killed after being subjected to sexual assault. Three children, aged between eight and 12 years, had been missing since June. Another eight-year-old boy, Faizan, disappeared on the night of Sept 16. Mohammad Imran, 12, went missing on June 3. Ali Husnain, nine, and Suleman Akram, eight, went missing on Aug 8 and Aug 17, respectively. Locals say a fifth child is also missing. One of the bodies has been identified as that of Faizan. The remains are believed to be of Ali and Suleman. A police official said Faizan was strangled after he was subjected to assault. He, however, added that they were awaiting final reports from the Punjab Forensic Science Agency. On Sept 18 in Chunian, people took to the streets to protest against the killings and suspected sexual assault of the four boys. Protesters also gathered outside the local police station and raised slogans against the alleged inaction of the police. So far no one has been arrested in connection with the murders. Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has taken notice of the incident. Locals suspect that an organised gang of criminals is behind the murders.

Several horrific incidents have occurred in Kasur district in recent years. In Jan 2018, six-year-old Zainab Ansari was raped and killed. Her killer, Imran Ali, was hanged on October 17, 2018. Before Zainab, he had raped and killed six other minor girls also. In 2015, a village in Kasur district had attracted international attention when a pornography ring was busted.

Ironically, the government’s Zainab Alert Bill has been pending with the National Assembly Standing Committee on Human Rights for months. The bill prescribes deterrent punishment for rape. The government needs to act to stem the growing tide of sexual abuse and murder. Experts should explore the issue keeping in view all of its aspects. The law’s delay is destroying many lives and families.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 19^th, 2019.

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