Thousands protest to demand justice for slain girl’s family

ABBOTTABAD: Thousands of citizens in Abbottabad staged a protest on Friday, demanding swift justice for 13-year-old Iqra, who was brutally raped and murdered at her employer’s home.

Protesters, including prominent leaders from various political and religious parties, lawyers, and journalists, gathered near the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, demanding the public execution of the accused.

Shortly after Juma prayers, a massive crowd marched through Abbottabad’s streets, converging near the Deputy Commissioner’s Office.

Their chants for swift justice echoed loudly, with the primary demand being the public execution of the perpetrator responsible for Iqra’s death — a crime widely condemned as a horrific tragedy for society.

The protest began at the central Jamia Mosque and included participants such as District Khatib Mufti Hameed-ur-Rehman Qureshi, MPA Amna Sardar, former MNA Uzma Riaz Jadoon, and prominent leaders from Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat, Jamiat Ahle Hadith Maulana Sarfaraz Farooqi, former district nazim Sardar Sher Bahadur, retired Colonel Sardar Shabbir, former tehsil nazim Ishaq Zakaria, former Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Amjad Khan Jadoon, Hazara Qaumi Mahaz’s Asad Khan Jadoon, Hazara Province Tehreek’s Sultan-ul-Arifeen Khan, social activist Naseer Khan Jadoon, Chairman of the Galiyat Tahafuz Movement Sardar Muhammad Sabir, and representatives from numerous political and religious parties, lawyers, journalists, and citizens from all walks of life.

Protesters carried placards and banners denouncing the murderer and chanted slogans demanding justice for Iqra. Many called for severe punishment, including public hanging. An action committee presented a three-point resolution to the Deputy Commissioner, demanding legislation for public executions and the application of terrorism laws against the accused.

District Khatib Mufti Hameed-ur-Rehman Qureshi expressed the community’s profound grief, stating that Iqra’s murder was a devastating tragedy for society. MPA Amna Sardar and other leaders also joined the protest, echoing calls for justice.

Deputy Commissioner Sanaullah Khan acknowledged public sentiments, assuring that the accused would be punished in accordance with the law. It is worth noting that the police have arrested the accused, Haris Latif, and obtained a six-day physical remand for interrogation.A special investigation team has been formed to expand the probe, and DNA samples have been sent for forensic analysis.