Sir: A recent report in a foreign newspaper has highlighted that child abuse is widespread in Pakistani madaris. However, it’s not as if this was a secret. Stories of sexual assault and excessive corporal punishment in this countries madaris have emerged very frequently in recent years. Unfortunately, nothing has been done about this issue. The so called guardians of Islam in this country have been able to bewitch or intimidate Pakistanis to accept or ignore all of their crimes and shortcomings. This needs to change. Pakistan cannot be apathetic to this evil any longer. The police, the judiciary and the ulema must take action here. All three must act against child abusers at madaris. They should also be shamed on all forms of media including social media. No leniency should be shown to them. Since their occupation is related to religion, they should be extremely pious and good natured. Instead they are the sort of men who would use violence against children for their own sadistic pleasure. There should be no mercy for such animals. MURTAZA HASSAN Lahore Published in Daily Times, November 22nd 2017.