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An eight-year-old girl from Chichawatni, who was burnt alive after allegedly being raped, breathed her last at a hospital in Lahore, DawnNewsTV reported on Tuesday.
Residents of the area and the victim's family members took to the streets to protest the gruesome murder. A complete strike was also observed in Chichawatni.
They raised slogans of "Zaalimon! khoon ka hisaab do" ["Oppressors! answer for the blood (of the child)"], as the girl's body was carried for funeral prayers.
Carrying banners appealing for justice, the protesters demanded that the culprits behind the girl's murder be hanged.
The second-grade student, a resident of Chichawatni area of Sahiwal, had gone missing on Sunday evening after she left home to buy some sweets.
When she did not return after a while, her family members and neighbours started looking for her and found her in a street in an unconscious state, with burns all over her body.
She was taken to Tehsil Headquarters (THQ) Hospital, from where she was referred to Jinnah Hospital in Lahore due to her critical condition. According to doctors, she had received 70 to 80 per cent burns. The girl died during treatment late on Monday night.
The body was handed over to the family after a post-mortem examination. The child was laid to rest at a graveyard in Chichawatni after the funeral prayers, which were attended by a large number of people.
Sahiwal District Police Officer Mohammad Atif Ikram told media that police had filed a case and took a suspect into custody. He said that a murder case has been filed whereas rape charges will be added after receiving the forensic report. He vowed to arrest the culprits as soon as possible.
The father of the victim demanded of the government to provide his family justice.
Amidst unrest in the community, civil society representatives and political figures visited the victim's house and assured the affected family of their complete support.
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has taken a notice of the murder.
Since the beginning of 2018, there has been a marked upsurge in the reporting of sexual abuse cases across Pakistan. The brutal rape and murder of Zainab Ansari in Kasur earlier this year in particular shocked the entire country, with #JusticeforZainab becoming the rallying cry in a nationwide drive to end violence against children.
An anti-terrorism court had sentenced convict Imran Ali to death on four counts in the Zainab murder case, while the Lahore High Court had dismissed his appeal against the trial court's verdict.
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On DawnNews
Comments (71) Closed
Apr 10, 2018 02:04pm
I'm gobsmacked - what is happening in Pakistan. An utter failure of law and order in Punjab!
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Apr 10, 2018 02:09pm
This cruel and disgraceful incident highlights evil side of our society. As these type of incidents will continue to happen until prompt and stingent actions are taken without topi dramas and unnecessary delay. Look at what happened in innocent Zanib's case - sentence not carried out yet after court's verdict! Why?
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Apr 10, 2018 02:13pm
Worst news i could have read today..
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Apr 10, 2018 02:16pm
I seek justice for the little princess. Unless, we don't hand the rapist in public, I am sure that things will no improve by an inch. Chief Justice must respond quickly.
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Apr 10, 2018 02:21pm
What is going on??? This doesn't need to follow the course of law, this needs brutal over reaction from people and government.
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Apr 10, 2018 02:41pm
I can assure you nothing will happen because Shahbaaz shrief took the notice
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Apr 10, 2018 02:43pm
shameful act of inhumanity.
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Apr 10, 2018 02:49pm
Sheer tragedy when we're unable to protect our children.
The whole country is heading towards disaster where everyone thinks they can do whatever they like.
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Apr 10, 2018 02:55pm
What does it mean when it is said that CM Punjab Shehbaz Sharif has taken notice ?? What his taking notice is going to do?
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Apr 10, 2018 02:56pm
The accuse must be apprehended immediately and justice must prevail
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Apr 10, 2018 02:56pm
the govt has failed criminals are going on growing everyday it's alarming situation for us
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Apr 10, 2018 03:04pm
no words....
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Apr 10, 2018 03:13pm
@on FLIP SIDE there is still cases of rape unregistered in KPK and still victims seeking jyustice for many murders just few weeks back in KPK. Lets not just make provincial matter, its humanity after all that leads to this be it KPK or Punjab. The other day girl was burnt alive near abbotabad, KPK. Lets just not be Imran Khan in every situation. try to reolve KPK than. Its shameful to hear these words from PTI supporters when they should ve made comments on brutal acts. As leader as follower
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Apr 10, 2018 03:19pm
Public punishment to be telecasted live all over Pakistan is the solution to instill fear in heart of wrong doers
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Apr 10, 2018 03:21pm
Why such cases are mostly from Punjab???
An answer could be the countless unregistered madarsahs promoting extremism and subsequently producing people with such a sick mindset.
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Apr 10, 2018 03:32pm
The nations or soceity as a whole seems to have caught the vice and immoral values of corrupt leadership.
Loot, Plunder, DIsrespect for the Courts and Laws; Lying, Cheating, Deceit, Defiance, Ill-Gotten Wealth hoarded in suitcases and cardboard boxes; properties being bought abroad with black-money and bribes; Concealing the Truth; Fabrications; Fraud; Cruelty towards minors and the poor; selective laws being applied to only the weak, while rich get away with their connections with rape and murder.
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Apr 10, 2018 03:34pm
Its happening because justice is working but no punishment for this serious crime
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Apr 10, 2018 03:36pm
So many notices after murder - I wish someone take preventive notice
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Apr 10, 2018 03:37pm
Let us educate our parents and children how to deal with such menace because evil minded prevails in every city. police only has a secondary role to deal with the aftermath by having an effeicent, proactive and transparent investigation based on existing scrapped laws.
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Apr 10, 2018 03:39pm
Totally barbaric and a gruesome act of inhumanity ...pakistan has become a country going from barbarism to decadence without civilization in between.From fanaticism to barbarism is where are we heading ...words cannot describe...wonder how the civil management sleep at night...
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Apr 10, 2018 03:44pm
I am speechless and hurt, in front of this horrible rape and burnt alive it seems the butcher of Syria gassing innocent woman and children day in day out is far better human scumbag than this rapist murderer. If little innocent girls are not safe in Pakistan than all the politicians and governments should be removed completely and replaced by capable people that can prevent this happening again once for all.
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Apr 10, 2018 03:47pm
What a horrible, grave and horrific tragedy?
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Apr 10, 2018 03:51pm
If the culprits belong to ruling party then nothing would happen.
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Apr 10, 2018 03:52pm
Good image of the country being projected
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Apr 10, 2018 03:53pm
thats why i will never come back to Pakistan.
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Apr 10, 2018 04:00pm
@miraaj stop politicizing and at least condemn the act verbally.
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Apr 10, 2018 04:06pm
yesterday it was in Kasur and today in Chichawatni. What a shame? where is SCP now? what is the meaning of these brutalities? there had been sick minded people earlier also but this wave of torturing and brutalizing children is something new and there is something behind this. Does n' t it suggest that there was some truth in Shahid Masood's allegations?
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Apr 10, 2018 04:20pm
These barbaric events constantly occur in mainly rural areas specially Punjab where uncouth people are abundant. Sadly these people elect our rulers who do not act upon such painful, disgraceful and shameful events.
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Apr 10, 2018 04:23pm
Come on!!!!!! She was just 8 yrs old. I'm also having a daughter. I can't tolerate this news. This type of criminals do not deserve punishment as per law. They need extraordinary treatment.
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Apr 10, 2018 04:28pm
Devastated to hear this news. Please do not make this political. We need to stand together on this irrespective of our political beliefs.
Our children come first and its about protecting them. Lets make sure that those who committed this crime and anyone supporting them are caught and duly punished.
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Apr 10, 2018 04:33pm
they all should be punished openly ... the weak ppl commit these sins and they must be punished to set example
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Apr 10, 2018 04:39pm
Hideousness Crime. If people have any shame left, they should not vote for these criminals again. Unfortunately, they will sell their souls for money.
The law and order is in terrible state. People need to realize the current politicians are enemies of Pakistan. Politicians and molvis (bigger politicians than politicians themselves) have made people disoriented. They are unable distinguish between right and wrong. People need to take stand and hold these people accountable for their actions. People need to look beyond bridges. Bridges do not provide security, education or health care.
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Apr 10, 2018 04:44pm
We are heading towards a dead end...
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Apr 10, 2018 04:51pm
Some demons are there in all societies.
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Apr 10, 2018 04:53pm
Can we ask the CM to build a metro is Sahiwal please?
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Apr 10, 2018 06:07pm
Shame Shame!
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Apr 10, 2018 06:43pm
How come such a young girl was allowed to leave the house alone. Parents have not learnt any lesson. Psychopaths r in every society. Don't always shoot the govt. Do some I introspection.
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Apr 10, 2018 06:46pm
A new social low, not sure where it will end...
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Apr 10, 2018 06:59pm
There should be severe punishments for the culprits of such heinous crimes.
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Apr 10, 2018 07:33pm
Mr chief justice please wake up. Or masses well come onto streets. Then you won't be able to control it.
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Apr 10, 2018 08:37pm
RIP beautiful soul innocent angel.
Keep voting for Sharif and Zardari these sad incidents will sooner or later need to open eyes of the public to get honest leaders. They are signs for us to wake up to change Pakistan for good.
Great job Dawn for reporting the incident so fast, when we look at our bad in the society and collectively make a change for the better only then we can progress as a nation.
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Apr 10, 2018 08:54pm
@on FLIP SIDE They were happening all along but were not being reported.
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Apr 10, 2018 09:17pm
Its very sad, pedophilia/rape/murder has always there in our country, only now it gets reported more often and people are starting to not be afraid to report such incidents.
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Apr 10, 2018 09:34pm
Shahid masood is right that these are organized gang activities
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Apr 10, 2018 09:42pm
It was hoped that after the nationwide convulsion to brutal murder of little Zainab, and subsequent timely intervention by our SC, the Punjab government would have become more vigilant in profiling and exposing pedophiles hiding in rural communities. But the recent gruesome and obnoxious rape and murder of another innocent child, makes it abundantly clear that everything is going on as usual. It is very sad and cruel to the poor parent of this angel who have to live with an absolute barbaric act of this fiend, who once caught does not deserve any mercy whatsoever. I hope this time around, the CJP, should make sure that those who remained lax in the aftermath of Zainab's murder be taken to task too and also ask the provincial government to come out with an operation plan to unearth these would be psychopath freely moving around in our poor communities and committing these heinous crimes with impunity and time, place of their choosing. Unless it is not done, no child should feel safe.
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Apr 10, 2018 09:45pm
I am lost for words to express outrage Khadim e aila has politicized the police with an utter failure of law and order
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Apr 10, 2018 10:10pm
It is heart warming that CM Sahbaz Sharif has taken notice It would have been important if he had not politicized the police so they would have prevented this horrible act from happening again and again It is time for new leaders
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Apr 10, 2018 10:19pm
Total breakdown. Take blame as a society for the fate of this angel. And those to come.
Reform, Renew, Restart. At all levels. Political. Religious. Educational. Social.
Leave nothing untouched. Do it now.
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Apr 10, 2018 10:42pm
@on FLIP SIDE
Mostly in Punjab.
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Apr 10, 2018 11:12pm
Half the blame falls on the neglectful parents who let this poor child wander out alone. They need to be punished too and rest of their children need to be taken into care. It's a evil world, always has been and we have to take care of our own families
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Apr 10, 2018 11:26pm
One of the reasons of this brutality towards women is that men have never studied in schools with co-education and never learned how to deal with opposite sex.
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Apr 10, 2018 11:31pm
Just punish the guilty to maximum and immediately
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Apr 10, 2018 11:41pm
@on FLIP SIDE 2 chore people. A few heinous cases and you are shocked at all pakistan. Pakistan has nothing to do with it, it is the few depraved, sick inhumane criminals.
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Apr 10, 2018 11:41pm
Swift, accurate justice. Let the message go out to these sick criminals.
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Apr 10, 2018 11:49pm
Why so much violence in rural Punjab, someone need to take a deep look into this, Its mostly Punjab.
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Apr 10, 2018 11:59pm
@Imtiaz Ali Khan This things happened everywhere in the world. So Zardari and NS responsible for every one them. Use common sense and safe you children
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Apr 11, 2018 12:33am
Its so stupid to blame govt. when children are even raped by immediate family members. Can govt. also stop that. Lets take some responsibility ourselves. I feel too bad to say very sorry to say its parents who bring up a rapist in the worst possible way nd again sorry to say this lack of up bringing is very common in Punjab may be because mothers are more into gatherings then into their kids.
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Apr 11, 2018 12:37am
pakistan learned nothing from zainab's death.......
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Apr 11, 2018 12:53am
Not horrible enough to be raped. She had to die in flames.
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Apr 11, 2018 12:57am
Many factors result in serious emotional and psychological disorders that are usually at the root of the problem. But be that as it may, given the current context, parents should NOT let their children - boys or girls - go out unaccompanied.
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Apr 11, 2018 01:23am
@on FLIP SIDE: when rulers only interest is to extend their tenure and make money by any means then internal law and orders and external foreign policy are bound to go rock bottom.
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Apr 11, 2018 01:26am
Parents are to be partially blamed and also to be held responsible for negligence. Despite of knowing what happened to Zainab is not not uncommon to common people then why children are left vanarable, unattended by their own parents. it's easier to blame the government, instead of taking caution prior to let it happen. Yes Law and the Law enforcement agencies should make our society safe for common people.
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Apr 11, 2018 04:13am
"Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has taken a notice of the murder" - Is this the best he can do? What answers will he have on the day on judgement. I'm SHOCKED!
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Apr 11, 2018 05:15am
@ukz They will not fear punishment whilstever they believe they will never be caught.
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Apr 11, 2018 05:18am
@Hwh Wrong! The law needs to embody punishments that fit the crime, and it needs to be fully upheld.
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Apr 11, 2018 05:30am
@nationalist
Agree with you 100%.
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Apr 11, 2018 05:31am
@ukz
Excellent idea.
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Apr 11, 2018 05:46am
What kind of humans are these?!
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Apr 11, 2018 07:05am
What makes people do such horrible things? Is it the influence of Arab traditions where 54 year old men marry 9 year girls? Shame...
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Apr 11, 2018 07:19am
The voice of a prominent anchor has already been silenced, who will raise voice for the justice of this girl along with the rape and murder 300 girls in Kasur! The society is in a downward spiral!
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Apr 12, 2018 11:50am
After what happened in Kasur and became public knowledge, it is highly irresponsible of parents to let their children out alone on the streets.
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