Six-year-old Zainab Amin's suspected rapist and murderer has been formally nominated in the rape and murder cases of seven other children in Kasur, an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) was told on Tuesday.

An earlier DNA test of the suspect revealed his DNA was a match with samples recovered from the crime scenes in the seven cases prior to Zainab's.

The investigation officer (IO) probing the cases told the ATC judge today that the suspect had kidnapped, raped and killed a total of eight girls.

The IO sought a five-day remand of the suspect, saying that the police wished to further probe him in connection to the cases. The court remanded him to police custody for three days.

Earlier on January 24, the ATC had granted investigators a 14-day physical remand of the suspect in connection with the Zainab murder case.

Zainab's rape and murder had sparked outrage in Kasur and across the country. The six-year-old went missing on Jan 4 and her body was recovered from a trash heap on Jan 9.

Her case is the 12th such incident to occur within a 10 kilometre radius in the city over the past year.

Police had confirmed on Jan 13 that the results of DNA testing of samples collected from the crime scenes pointed towards the involvement of one culprit in at least seven similar cases in the district.

On Jan 23, the Punjab government declared the arrest of the prime suspect.

Opinion

Editorial

Out of control
Updated 19 Feb, 2025

Out of control

AS bodies continue to fall in Kurram despite a state-sanctioned ceasefire, one wonders how long local militants’...
Hollow words
19 Feb, 2025

Hollow words

IT is not uncommon for politicians to resort to the use of hyperbole in order to boost their public standing. ...
Migration matters
19 Feb, 2025

Migration matters

THE grass, it seems, did appear greener on the other side to millions of people as evidenced by the latest UN ...
Cholistan project
Updated 18 Feb, 2025

Cholistan project

GPI goals align with Pakistan's broader economic aims but the manner in which the initiative was launched raises questions.
Right to know
18 Feb, 2025

Right to know

IT is an unfortunate paradox that while on paper Pakistan has some of the most impressive right to information laws,...
Dam dispute
18 Feb, 2025

Dam dispute

THE situation in Chilas needs attention and a fair-minded approach so that it can be resolved amicably. Diamer ...