Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Multan City Police Officer (CPO) on Tuesday informed the Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan that a 17-year-old girl had been raped on the Panchayat’s orders.

He stated this in a report submitted in the apex court over the Multan rape incident.

The report stated that 29 suspects, including the prime culprit had been arrested so far. “Mother of victim girl submitted an application on July 20, and the case was lodged on the same day,” the report stated. The apex court was informed that three cases had been filed regarding the incident, and the challan (charge sheet) would be submitted within seven days. Police is also investigating the incident.

On July 16, a 12-year-old was allegedly raped by Umer Wada. A Panchayat, headed by Ameen and Saeed Patwari, was held to declare the verdict in the incident.

The Panchayat members directed the victim’s brother Ishfaque to avenge the incident by raping Wada’s 17-year-old sister. On July 18, Ishfaque raped her in complying with the council’s orders. The victim’s family had registered a case against Wada in Women Police Centre. However; when the second victim’s parents came to know of the incident, they also filed a case against Ishfaque.

Muzaffarbad Police came into action after receiving information of the Panchayt’s decision and arrested the council head Ameen and several others. The incident was also reported by international media. Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif also took action, announcing the formation of an inquiry committee. He later visited Multan to meet the victims and their families.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar had taken suo moto notice of the case and had summoned a report in this regard from the Punjab IGP. The suspects include the alleged rapist Ishfaque and the Panchayat leader who gave the order – Haq Nawaz, along with the girl’s brothers Umer Wada and Saeed Numberdar. The girl was reportedly raped in front of the family.

Published in Daily Times, August 2^nd , 2017.