Suspect in murder of four minor boys arrested: Punjab CM

Buzdar says suspect, Sohail Shahzad, arrested through scientific investigation using polygraphic and DNA tests

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has said the suspect behind the murder of four minor boys in Chunian has been arrested.

Addressing the media-persons on Tuesday, Buzdar said, “Twenty-seven-year-old suspect, Sohail Shahzad, has been identified through scientific investigation into the case using polygraphic and DNA tests.”

The chief minister said law enforcement agencies did geo-fencing of 1,649 suspects and conducted DNA tests of 1,543 citizens to unearth the identity of the culprit.

“Semen on the clothes of one boy and bloodstains on the clothes of another matched the samples taken from the suspect,” said Buzdar, adding that the suspect was behind all four sodomy and murder cases.

He said the suspect would be tried in an anti-terrorism court where hearings would be held on a daily basis. "I will supervise the Chunian case myself," he said.

The CM said an incident of child molestation also took place in Hussain Wala Village after which an innocent girl was murdered after being molested and now in 2019 four children - Faizan, Ali Hassan, Salman Akram, and Muhammad Imran - were also murdered after being subjected to molestation.

“I was performing Umrah in Saudi Arabia when I was informed about the tragic incident. On my return, I immediately visited Chunian and met with the bereaved families and promised to provide them justice,” said Buzdar, appreciating and commending the dedicated work of police, Punjab Forensic Science Agency, special branch, CM Office principal secretary, Cabinet Committee on Law and Order and other concerned departments.

“Investigation into this case has been carried out on a scientific basis. All resources were provided to the police for tracing the accused. Strict legal action will be taken against the accused according to the law and justice will be provided to the bereaved families,” said the Punjab CM.

To a question, he said that there was no deadlock regarding police reforms and as soon as the recommendations were finalised they would be presented before the media.

To another question, Buzdar said that the performance of ministers was being reviewed.

He announced conducting a study on such tragic incidents, saying Ulema would also be engaged.

He said the Punjab government took prompt action on the Sahiwal incident, Salahuddin case and Chunian incident.

The CM said the action was taken against officers involved in the Sahiwal incident and an FIR was also registered. “Now the law is taking its course,” said Buzdar.

On the demand of the family members of Salahuddin, the grave had been exhumed.

A letter has been written to the Lahore High Court to constitute a judicial commission in the Salahuddin case, said Buzdar.

Punjab Inspector General of Police Arif Nawaz told the media-persons that the suspect was a resident of Rana Town, Chunian. He committed these crimes during June, August, and September, he pointed out.

He said, “By the Grace of Allah Almighty and untiring efforts and hard work of the police force and other concerned departments day in and day out, the accused involved in the tragic Chunian incident has been traced.”

The IG said the accused abused 12-year-old Ali Imran in June 2019 and strangled him, adding that the accused murdered two more children after molesting them.

“The accused is a bachelor and makes bread at a tandoor,” said the IG, adding that some time ago the accused was arrested and awarded a five-year sentence. After facing imprisonment of one-and-a-half-year, the accused had been set free. Now, he was arrested from Chunian, he added.

Provincial Minister Raja Basharat, Mian Aslam Iqbal, Hashim Dogar, Ansar Majeed Khan, Akhter Malik, Taimoor Bhatti, Punjab chief secretary, additional chief secretary (home) and senior officials were present.

Following unrest and protest, the chief minister took notice of the incidents and directed the police force to conduct a thorough investigation and sought a report from the police department.

He ordered the immediate arrest of the culprit involved in heinous crimes.

During recent years, Kasur has been in news for different incidents of abuse, rape, and killing of minors.

Last year, six-year-old Zainab Ansari was found dead in a garbage heap. The incident sparked nationwide anger and protest, as it was the twelfth such incident.

However, police in collaboration with the Punjab Forensic Science Agency arrested prime suspect, Imran Ali, through DNA test.

Earlier, the city attracted international attention when law enforcement agencies busted a child pornography ring and recovered a large number of video clips in which minor children were involved in sexual acts.