KASUR-Routine life restored in Kasur as situation returned to normalcy on Friday after district-wide violent protests erupted following the murder of a seven-year-old girl after rape.
Rangers personnel were deployed in Kasur. They along with police patrolled all the day and had also conducted a flag march in the district. There had been observed a complete shutdown in the district due to security concerns. Some protestors gathered on Ferozepur Road but they were dispersed by police. The police didn't allow the gathering of six people at a place. Rangers personnel took over security of state buildings.
POLICE, ADMIN BIGWIGS
JOIN HEADS
A meeting was held here to review law and order in the district. Commissioner Lahore Division Abdullah Khan Sunbal chaired the meeting which was attended by Commander Rangers Brig Asim, RPO Sheikhupura Range Zulfiqar Hameed and Kasur DPO Zahid Nawaz Marwat. Traders and district peace committee members also attended the meeting. The participants prayed for rest of the departed soul of Zainab in eternal peace. Traders and peace committee members assured the police and administration of their help in maintaining peace across the district.
EX-CJ SEEKS SPEEDY JUSTICE
Former chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry visited the house of Zainab, condoled her death with parents and urged the rulers to ensure speedy justice in this case. He blamed the rulers for the incident.
CULPRIT TO BE HELD: MINISTERS
During a press conference at deputy commissioner's office, Provincial Minister for Primary Health Khwaja Imran Nazir and Provincial Minister for Education Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan said that Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif is himself monitoring the case. They said that some suspects have been arrested, adding that the culprit would be identified soon and would be awarded exemplary punishment. They said that the head of Joint Investigation Team (JIT), Additional Inspector General of Police Abu Bakr Khuda Bakhsh, has been replaced with RPO Multan Muhammad Idrees on the request of Zainab's father. They said that the government is making an effective strategy to thwart such incidents in future.
Punjab government spokesman Waseem Akhtar Sheikh, Kasur Municipal Committee chairman Ayaz Ahmed Khan and a large number of lawyers and traders were present on the occasion.
SH RASHEED FLAYS RULERS
Awami Muslim League chairman Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed visited the house of Zainab and condoled her death with the bereaved parents.
Talking to media, he said a country where the law-enforcement becomes a puppet of the whims of rulers; a common man does not find protection to his life, honour and property. "Had Shehbaz Sharif been sincere to address public grievances, he would have come to Kasur in daylight," he flayed. "The Sharif brothers have nothing to do with public welfare and wish only to protect their rule," he added. He said that he would come to Kasur again and protest with the people if the culprit in this is not arrested and punished.
KAIRA, ASHRAFI CONDOLE GIRL'S DEATH
Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Central Punjab president Qamar Zaman Kaira, Pakistan Ulema Council chairman Maulana Tahir Ashrafi, Pakistan Falah Party general secretary Amanat Ali came to the house of Zainab and expressed their condolences over tragic death of the minor girl. They said during a media talk that days of the incumbent have been numbered. "Had the government awarded exemplary punishments to the culprits of such cases, Zainab would not have been murdered in a merciless way," they said. "Now the masses have stand up for their rights and they would not be calm until solution to their grievances," they added.

String of protests expresses anger at Kasur incident

MULTAN/GUJRANWALA-A string of protest rallies and candle light vigils took place in different parts of the city on Friday against the horrendous murder of seven-year-old girl in Kasur. The activists of civil society, traders, students and people from other walks of life participated in the demonstrations to express their anger on the incident. The protesters demanded the government to arrest the killer and hang him publicly.
The activists of Plans for You Human Rights and Democracy Education Foundation, Young League Pakistan, Help for Human Organization, Anjuman Tajiran Gulgasht, Islami Jamiat Talaba and others organised the demonstrations and expressed complete solidarity with the aggrieved family.
On the occasion, the speakers said that the tragic incident took place due to negligence of police and government. They said that over a dozen likewise incident had so far taken place in Kasur during last few months while a mega sex scandal had also been earthed a few months back. "It appears as if Kasur is a lawless land where beasts are given liberty to commit any crime," they maintained. They alleged that the accused involved in organised sexual exploitation of children went scot free due to the patronage of an MPA from the area, who belonged to the ruling party. "This incident would not have happened, had the culprits involved in that case been punished," they noted.
They declared that entire society stood with the family of Zainab and the protest would continue until the culprit involved in the crime was caught and punished.
In Gujranwala, activists of religious and political parties, flanked by civil society staged separate protests against Kasur incident here on Friday.
Hundreds of workers of Jamaat-e-Islami, PML-N, Sunni Tehreek, Khaksar Tehreek and students of different colleges participated in the protests. The protesters holding banners, chanted slogans against the negligence and inefficiency of police and the Punjab government. Workers of Jamaat-e-Islami Youth Wing blocked road by burning tyres. They demanded the Punjab government to adopt solid steps to avert recurrence of such incidents in the future. They also demanded special measures for safety and protection of the citizens, especially the children across the province.