Her cries still linger here

Many officials swung into action after the media highlighted the horrible rape incident that claimed the life of Zainab, a seven-year-old girl, in Kasur. Similar steps were taken in the past as well, but the authorities lost interest once photo sessions and media coverage were over. No one took any concrete action to award exemplary punishments to culprits who were caught. Previously, the Senate reportedly took notice of over 14,000 rape cases pending in the country’s various courts. However, after some debate, nothing constructive was done to find an effective solution to this great national tragedy. Some ulema too played a negative role in various rape trials – an act which shocked the entire nation. How long are we going to continue like this?

It was good to see that the COAS also paid attention to the Zainab case. Will this tragedy wake up all the relevant authorities to take immediate action to provide speedy justice to rape victims? Why cannot the government direct these cases to military courts until the civil judicial system is reformed? Let us hear some revolutionary solution from our respected chief justice.

M Akram Niazi

Rawalpindi

*****

Sexual abuse is not limited to Pakistan. In fact, many developed countries are also finding ways to tackle this social problem which has destroyed so many lives. According to a US-based anti-sexual violence organisation, one in nine girls and one in 53 boys under the age of 18 experience sexual abuse or assault at the hands of an adult. In Pakistan, the 2015 Kasur child abuse scandal invited the attention of the media and human rights activists. The chief minister of Punjab, Shehbaz Sharif, ordered an inquiry into the matter. However, the initial reports described the allegations as ‘baseless.’

On the contrary, a Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) report claimed that due to political interference and the negligence of the police, the Kasur child abuse report was compromised. The unfortunate fact is that in our country the authorities do not know how to respond adequately to allegations of sexual violence. Nobody comes forward when a victim tries to speak. The existence of laws cannot guarantee the eradication of a crime. What is needed is the authorities’ sincere effort to implement the laws so that justice is served.

Haider Zaman Khan

Multan

*****

The heartbreaking incident of sexual assault and brutal killing of Zainab, a 7-year-old innocent girl who was found dead in a heap of garbage, has once again questioned the competency of the law-enforcement agencies with regard to prevention of sexual violence.

The Pakistani people are terrified after this horrific incident and call for the immediate arrest of the culprits, aiders. Although the Lahore High Court has taken notice of this incident, additional measures of the law-enforcement agencies are required to help judiciary punish the culprits.

Syed Fakhar Imam

Pakpattan