By Trigger Warning: Child Abuse
MUZAFFARGARH: A 13-year-old boy was reportedly raped by a man during Aitkaf at a mosque in Sanawan Bukhi Chowk, Muzaffargarh.
According to Dawn, the victim fell prey to the assault allegedly perpetrated by another individual also observing Aitkaf.
Initial reports indicated that the suspect of Muzaffargarh rape incident managed to escape, while the mosque’s Imam reported threats from the perpetrator. Subsequently, the victim was swiftly taken to the hospital for a medical examination.
As per the reports, the police team acted promptly, with Muzaffargarh police spokesperson Waseem Gopang confirming the arrest of the suspect within 24 hours of the incident. The arrest was facilitated by a police team, utilising modern technology under the leadership of Station House Officer Shahid Rizwan.
Meanwhile, the National Commission on the Rights of Child (NCRC) intervened, pledging oversight and advocacy for justice. In a Facebook post, the NCRC assured the public of their commitment to ensuring accountability for the perpetrator.
Read More: Cleric accused of raping young boy ‘forgiven’ after senior cleric’s intervention
Amidst public outcry and social media outrage, political figures were notably absent from the discourse surrounding the case.
Muzaffargarh rape incident is part of a concerning trend of similar occurrences across the country. Recently, Kot Addu Saddar police registered a rape case against a fake diploma-holder doctor for allegedly assaulting a nine-year-old girl in Taunsa Mor. In another distressing incident, a seminary teacher and his wife were arrested for repeated attempts to rape a minor girl student and for torturing her in Faisalabad’s Madina Town.
An annual report by Sahil, a non-profit organisation dedicated to child welfare, highlighted the alarming prevalence of child sexual abuse in PakistanAccording to the ‘Cruel Numbers 2023’ report, an alarming statistic emerged, with an average of 11 children experiencing abuse daily. Perpetrators, frequently identified as acquaintances, relatives, family members, strangers, and female accomplices, were found to be the predominant figures implicated in cases of child sexual abuse.
Moreover, the report underscored a noteworthy statistic, with 91 per cent of reported cases formally lodged with police—an indicator lauded as a proactive stance by police in combatting this pressing societal concern.
