A court in Taxila sentenced a local leader of the PML-N to 20 years in prison and imposed a Rs100,000 fine for raping a 13-year-old girl three years ago.

Additional and Sessions Judge Taxila Malik Ahmed Arshad Mahmood also handed a three-year prison sentence to a doctor for her involvement in an abortion performed on the girl.

The local court acquitted two brothers of the prime convict for lack of evidence against them.

Editorial: Paedophiles that live among us should no longer be able to walk freely

In 2015, the mother of the victim had lodged a case against the prime convict Ishfaq, his two brothers and the doctor.

She had contended that the prime convict — who is a cousin of the victim's father — and his two brothers raped her then 13-year-old daughter at gunpoint at his home.

Later, when the convict came to know the victim was pregnant, he had a doctor perform an abortion on her at a private clinic.

The convicts, who had earlier been granted interim bail, were arrested from outside the courtroom.

Opinion

Editorial

IMF’s projections
Updated 18 Apr, 2024

IMF’s projections

The problems are well-known and the country is aware of what is needed to stabilise the economy; the challenge is follow-through and implementation.
Hepatitis crisis
18 Apr, 2024

Hepatitis crisis

THE sheer scale of the crisis is staggering. A new WHO report flags Pakistan as the country with the highest number...
Never-ending suffering
18 Apr, 2024

Never-ending suffering

OVER the weekend, the world witnessed an intense spectacle when Iran launched its drone-and-missile barrage against...
Saudi FM’s visit
Updated 17 Apr, 2024

Saudi FM’s visit

The government of Shehbaz Sharif will have to manage a delicate balancing act with Pakistan’s traditional Saudi allies and its Iranian neighbours.
Dharna inquiry
17 Apr, 2024

Dharna inquiry

THE Supreme Court-sanctioned inquiry into the infamous Faizabad dharna of 2017 has turned out to be a damp squib. A...
Future energy
17 Apr, 2024

Future energy

PRIME MINISTER Shehbaz Sharif’s recent directive to the energy sector to curtail Pakistan’s staggering $27bn oil...