I CANNOT help but express my utmost shock, anger and grief about what happened to little Zainab in Kasur. It is ironic that we as a nation have become insensitive to such ghastly crimes.

After a customary hue and cry we tend to let it pass. The culprits are not given exemplary punishment.

This was eighth such incident during the last five years in Kasur, which has become a hub of rapists. As if Zainab’s rape and murder was not enough, when the protestors went to the deputy commissioner’s office, the situaiton turned ugly when the police resorted to firing. As a result, three young people were killed.

Why can’t the government issue rubber bullets to the police? In the UK, only batons are used by police.

Zainab and her parents need quick justice instead of protests and long investigations. In 1977, an 11-year-old boy, Pappu, son of a Lahore industrialist was abducted by his own driver and his accomplices for ransom.

Later, the boy was abused and murdered. Gen Ziaul Haq took personal interest in the incident and got the culprits arrested within 48 hours. They were tried by a military court, found guilty and all four of them were hanged within one month of the incident.

I appeal to the chief justice of Pakistan to take personal interest in the case.

Ahmad Siddiqui
Karachi

Published in Dawn, January 15th, 2018