Sex crimes wrack Gujranwala

Cases of sexual abuse of women and children alarmingly increased in various parts of the region, while police claim to have solved all cases and issued challans for the court.

In Sialkot, Gujranwala and Narowal districts, as many as 714 young children, girls and women were reportedly sexually abused, with seven minors also killed. Unfortunately, many such cases do not come to the attention of the law, as they go unreported or the aggrieved parties reach a reconciliation.

The graph of rape has turned from bad to worse. In 2022, the number of cases reported was greater than that in 2021. A total of 714 people were subjected to sexual abuse, including 544 women and children. Around 65 victims were gang-raped, including young girls and the mentally-challenged. The incidents are more frequently reported in rural areas as opposed to cities.

Around 157 rapes were reported in Sialkot, 296 in Gujranwala and 91 in Narowal. Furthermore, 16 gang-rapes were reported in Sialkot, 41 in Gujranwala and 8 in Narowal. Even young children were not safe, with total of 146 children targeted for abuse. As many as 70 of these cases were reported in Sialkot, 68 in Gujranwala and 8 in Narowal.

Across the region, 7 children were killed after sexual assault, in which 3 cases were reported in Sialkot and 4 cases in Gujranwala. Among them, the most horrific case took place within the limits of Kamoki Police Station, where a 4-yearold boy was abused by his cousin son.

He was reportedly raped, before his assailant doused him in petrol and set him on fire so that he could not be identified. CPO Umar Salamat took immediate action and a police team reached the child's home. The accused, Faiz Rasool, was arrested within a few hours and confessed to how he brutally killed the minor. Similarly in February 2022, a student went missing and the accused made a ransom call to mislead the police.

Four months later, police found the missing student’s mutilated body in a heap of dung. The family refused to identify the body, however the victim's brother Bilal, who was also the plaintiff, agreed to perform the DNA test. Following further investigation, it came to light that Salim, the domestic help, turned out to be the killer, working with an accomplice. They killed the child after sexually assaulting him and buried his body in a pile of dung. Both the accused were arrested. In light of these disturbing figures, CPO Umar Salamat urged parents, teachers and schools to take action to prevent such horrific incidents. He stated that the police started a campaign, with the help of public representatives, where confidential surveys are being conducted on those involved in such activities and those who have been pardoned by the victims or their families.

The data has already been obtained, after which a close eye can be kept on sexual predators. The CPO stressed that the children cannot be left alone in the presence of strangers and must be taught the difference between a good touch and a bad touch, so that they can save themselves and be able to talk to others besides their parents. He added that over 90% of sexual assault cases have been solved, with the accused arrested and the cases filed in court.