APROPOS the report ‘DNA helps police catch suspect in Zainab case’ (Jan 24). Despite all the negative aspects of Pakistani society highlighted in the case, there are a few bright spots as well.

The citizens stood up and became one voice to express their indignation at this heinous crime. The law and order forces and investigation agencies worked to locate and apprehend the culprit. Now it is for our law-makers to fulfil their responsibility and pass strict legislation which ensures paedophiles get strict penalties.

In my opinion there is need to start an initiative on the lines of Amber Alert which is enforced in North America. A child named Amber was abducted and murdered in 1996 in the United States. Pakistan should initiate a Zainab alert for any missing children in the future. Given the state-of-the-art interconnectivity of our times, this could be a very useful tool to locate and rescue missing children, as in such cases time is of the essence.

All TV channels and social media including mobile phone services can become a huge network of information broadcast in helping the investigation agencies in this respect.

Anas A Khan

Edmonton, AB, Canada

Published in Dawn, January 27th, 2018