Shahbaz orders judicial inquiry in Kasur child abuse case
Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif on Sunday ordered a judicial inquiry into the Kasur child abuse scandal. The CM directed the Punjab home department to request the Chief Justice Lahore High Court Justice Manzoor Ahmad Malik to immediately form a commission made up of district and sessions judges to conduct the inquiry, said a press release issued by the Directorate-General Public Relations, Punjab. "Those involved in the case will be severely punished. They will not be able to escape their fate," he said, adding, "The affected families will be provided with justice at any cost."
A joint investigation team (JIT) was formed under the leadership of Commissioner Lahore Division Abdullah Khan Sumbal and Additional Inspector-General Operations Punjab Arif Nawaz Khan to investigate the case. A report submitted by the JIT states that six people have been arrested in connection with the case, while three suspects are absconding. Raids are being conducted to capture the fleeing suspects.
Meanwhile, Pakistan People's Party (PPP) on Sunday submitted a Calling Attention notice in the National Assembly asking Interior Minister to give explanation to the House.
According to details, the
notice was submitted by PPP's Nafisa Shah, Shazia Marri, Imran Laghari among other leaders. The notice demanded that the Interior Minister explain the House the issue bearing key importance among the people.
Meanwhile, former president Asif Ali Zardari took the notice of the incident and sought report from the leaders belonging to Punjab. Zardari also directed party leaders to raise the issue in the parliament. Former president said that cases of child abuse are a slap on the face of government and society and criminals should be brought to justice. Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed while speaking to the press on Sunday said that his party would submit a condemnation resolution in the Punjab Assembly.
Rasheed said the PTI would hold protests against the scandal and will not rest until those responsible for the incident are brought to justice. "This incident is a failure of the government. There is no land dispute, that is a separate matter which has nothing to do with the sexual abuse of children." he said. "There should be a complete inquiry into the incident and the judicial commission ordered by the Chief Minister should initiate its probe immediately," he said, adding that the CM should also take note of intimidatory tactics employed by the police in the area.