JIT formed to probe Kasur child abuse case

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has formed a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to probe the massive child abuse and extortion scandal allegedly involving hundreds of victims in the province's Kasur district over the last decade.

Investigations into the massive child abuse scandal, termed the biggest in the country's history, reveal that around 400 videos were made of 280 minor victims by the organised gang of over 25 criminals in Hussain Khanwala village of Kasur.

Amid mounting calls for justice from protesting families, media and civil society, the Punjab government has now formed a five-member JIT headed by Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) Abu Bakr Khuda Baksh to investigate the case and present its report within two weeks.

The investigation team will also include Superintendent of Police (SP) Khalid Bashir Cheema and Deputy SP Liaqauat Ali, as well as two officers of intelligence agencies.

The JIT will investigate the pending cases of child abuse in Hussain Khanwala village and submit its report to the Lahore High Court.

Meanwhile, anti-terrorism charges have been included in the lodged cases under Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). The case will now be heard in the anti-terrorism court.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by the Inspector-General (IG) of the Punjab police and also attended by the DIG Operations and RPO Sheikhupura.

Five accused presented in ATC

Five accused in the Kasur child abuse scandal have been presented in an Anti-Terrorism-Court (ATC). The accused include Obaidur Rehman, Atiq, Waseem, Yahya and Tanzeelur Rehman.

On Monday, the interim bail extension of the five as denied. Seven others accused in the case are on judicial remand. Police also claimed that the total number of suspects arrested in the case has risen to 14.

Also read: Kasur child abuse scandal: NA passes unanimous resolution, SHO suspended