KASUR-The rape-cum-murder victim, Zainab, 7; and two others including Muhammad Ali, 45, and Shoaib, 22, who were shot dead in firing by police were laid to rest amidst sighs and tears on Thursday.
Tehreeke Labaik Ya Rasoolallah (TLYR) chairman Allama Khadim Hussain Rizvi led funeral for the latter two. Thousands of people from all walks of life including PPP leader and former Punjab governor Manzoor Wattoo attended the funeral prayers. After the funeral, a large number of people reached the houses of Zainab, Imran and Shoaib. They condoled the tragic deaths of the deceased with the bereaved families.
DISTRICT-WIDE STRIKE
The trading community observed a complete shutdown on the third consecutive day against death of the minor girl and two other persons. The lawyers, mediamen, student organisations and religious, social and political figures also gave up their routine activities in protest against the incident. All the main entry and exit points of Kasur district remained closed. It literally crippled life in the district. Everyone was witnessed sad and angry over death of three innocent persons.
PROTESTORS BURN
LAWMAKER’S OUTHOUSE
The enraged protestors vandalised the public property and pelted policemen with stones. People carrying sticks attacked the outhouse of local PML-N MPA Naeem Safdar Ansari and MNA Waseem Akhtar. They set ablaze a car and other things there. The protestors also pelted stones at Kasur District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital. The hospital management, doctors and paramedics fled from the scene, leaving patients at the mercy of the protestors. The protesting people entered the hospital and ransacked the equipment. They were demanding early arrest and exemplary punishment to the murderers of the minor girl. They also demanded stern action against the officers including SHO Saddr police Malik Tariq, A-Division police SHO Imran Saeed and Deputy Commissioner Saira Umar on whose orders the police shot dead two citizens.
CM ARRIVES ZAINAB’S HOUSE
Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Kasur in wee hours of Thursday morning. He reached the house of Zainab at 4am, met the bereaved parents, condoled tragic death of Zainab with them and assured them of justice. He stayed at the house for 15 minutes and announced Rs3million for the heirs of each deceased. He also announced Rs10 million as a reward for one who would help the government find the murderer of the girl.
SIRAJUL HAQ CONDOLES
GIRL’S DEATH WITH PARENTS
Jamaat-e-Islami chairman Sirajul Haq visited Zainab’s parents and condoled the death of their girl with them. Talking to media, he said that he as a Pakistani had visited the house of Zainab who, he called, daughter of the nation. He lamented the police failure to arrest the accused. He vowed to go all-out until the girl’s murderer is arrested. “The government, the district administration and the police are responsible for the horrific incident” he said, adding “It’s time to get rid of the corrupt and negligent rulers.” He urged the government to spare no effort for early arrest of the accused.
KASURI FLAYS GOVT’S
INCOMPETENCE
Former foreign minister Khursheed Mehmood Kasuri met Zainab’s parents and expressed his condolence over death of their girl. He also called Zainab daughter of the nation, saying her blood would no go in vain. He vehemently criticised the government’s incompetence, saying the rulers have nothing to do with protecting life, honour and property of the common man. “They let people die for political gains,” he said, adding “The rulers would no longer in power if they fail to arrest murderer of the girl.”
PTI LEADERS MEET
BEREAVED PARENTS
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders - Jahangir Tareen and Ch Sarwar visited Zainab’s parents and expressed deep condolences over brutal murder of the minor girl.
They said during a media talk that the government’s failure to arrest murderer of the girl is clear evidence that it has failed to provide protection to the life and honour of the people. “The rulers will have to pay for this negligence,” they said and adding “The PML-N government has always oppressed the public during its tenures.” They pointed out that people would face Model Town like incidents in future until the rulers are held accountable for their cruel acts.
Zainab was raped, sodomized: Autopsy
Agencies/KASUR-Report of the autopsy seven-year-old Zainab suggested that the minor had been raped, sodomized and then strangulated to death.
According to Kasur DHQ Hospital Medico Legal Officer (MLO) Dr Quratulain Attique, the autopsy examination revealed the girl had died of strangulation while her hymen was ruptured and there is also evidence sodomy with the minor.
The report suggests that the minor had been killed on January 6, two days after her abduction while the dead body was found on January 9.
According to the MLO, there were visible marks of torture on her face and congestion in her muscles while her tongue was badly bruised and injured as it was pressed between her teeth.
The MLO said that this is the fourth such case she has seen in the seven months she has been at DHQ Hospital Kasur. Of the four cases, only one child survived the ordeal. The findings in all the cases were similar to those in Zainab’s case.