Mechanic held over alleged assault on child apprentices

Police have arrested a motorcycle mechanic accused of assaulting two young brothers employed as apprentices at his workshop in Vehari district after videos of the alleged abuse circulated on social media.

According to a police spokesperson, the incident occurred within the jurisdiction of Karam Pur Police Station, where the suspect, identified as Israr Ahmad, operates a motorcycle repair workshop.

Police said the two brothers, nine-year-old Faizan and 10-year-old Ali Ahmar, were learning mechanical work at the workshop when the suspect allegedly assaulted them over a minor issue.

The children reportedly fled to a nearby public bathhouse to escape the beating, but the suspect allegedly followed them there and continued the assault.

After videos of the incident went viral on social media, District Police Officer (DPO) Vehari Tasawur Iqbal took notice and directed police to initiate immediate legal action.

Acting on the DPO's instructions, SHO Karam Pur Muhammad Zulfiqar Jatt, along with a police team, registered a case on the complaint of Sub-Inspector Zulfiqar Ali and arrested the suspect.

Police said the case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Pakistan Penal Code, including Sections 382-A, 506 and 292, while further investigation is under way.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, DPO Tasawur Iqbal said incidents involving the abuse of children or taking the law into one's own hands would not be tolerated.