The rape-cum-murder of a three-year-old girl in Lakki Marwat will put fear among parents about children safety. A child who should have been playing in her home went missing, only to be found lifeless in a nearby forest. The details are heartbreaking. The police have registered a case under serious sections of the law, including murder, kidnapping and rape. This is an important first step, but it is not enough. The real test lies in whether the police can identify and arrest those responsible. Too often, such cases fade away without justice. We must also ask a difficult question: how many more children must suffer before stronger action is taken? According to the Sahil report Cruel Numbers, thousands of cases of child abuse are reported every year in Pakistan. The data shows that young children, especially girls, remain highly vulnerable to violence. Many cases go unreported due to fear, social pressure, or lack of trust in the system. This means the real numbers may be even higher.
Pakistan does have laws to protect children, but enforcement remains weak. Laws mean little if they are not applied strictly. Police stations must treat such cases as emergencies. Investigations should be fast, transparent, and focused. The use of modern forensic tools must become standard practice, not an exception. At the same time, communities must play their role. Parents, neighbours, and local leaders need to be more alert. Children should not be left unprotected in environments where risks are high. Awareness about child safety must be part of everyday conversation, not just a reaction after tragedy. The police must move quickly in this case. The killers must be arrested and punished without delay. Justice, if delayed, only deepens the wound for the family and weakens public trust. This is not just about one child. It is about every child in Pakistan. *