A newborn girl child was thrown in a dumpster at Vehari Chowk in Multan by unidentified people, police has said on Saturday, quoting eyewitnesses.

Eyewitnesses had quickly informed Rescue 1122, which took the baby girl to Nishtar Hospital. Doctors at the hospital say the child is not in any danger.

Police has recorded witness statements and started an investigation. The Rescue 1122 team will hand the child over to an Edhi Foundation team.

This is not the first such incident, as 'unwanted' new-born children, often girls, are frequently abandoned by their families and left to fend for themselves.

The Edhi Foundation has been criticised in the past by right-wing organisations for providing cradles outside its offices, urging parents to leave newborn children there instead of abandoning them to the elements. Right-wing organisations, many of which also condemn contraceptives, claim these cradles 'promote' promiscuity.