KASUR: Lots of people, including TV channels reporters, had thronged the house of deceased Zainab in the Kot Road locality on Saturday morning.

They were curious to see the reaction of the family on the judgement of the case by an anti-terrorism court judge in Kot Lakhpat jail, which was to be delivered any time in the day. Women were reciting the Holy Quran while males members were talking to TV reporters.

The murder of minor Zainab had triggered a nationwide anger on Jan 9 when her body was found in a heap trash. Later, with the help of DNA profiling of several people, the police traced and arrested rapist-cum-murderer Imran Ali. While several people were waiting impatiently for the verdict at the deceased minor girl’s house, there was silence in a nearby street where Imran’s house was located.

Relatives refused to talk to reporters while Imran’s house was locked. As soon as TV channels broke the news of the verdict, women at the Zainab’s house started crying. The mother of Zainab demanded the execution of convict Imran at the same heap trash where he had killed her daughter.

The whole city seemed to discussing the verdict. Tea stalls with TV sets were also full of the crowd. Elderly Rehmat Ali was one of them at a tea stall.

He said that the acts of Imran were inhuman and he had also brought a bad name to the city. People were talking about the character of Imran. They said he would remain isolated and avoid meeting people. People also praised the court for the quick disposal of the case.

Inside the school where deceased Zainab was a class one student, teachers and students looked shaken. Asia Bibi, who had been teaching Zainab for the last two years, told Dawn that Zainab was a brilliant student. She could not talk more and tried in vain to choke the tears. Zainab would sit by Momna and Hania in the classroom.

Momna said Zainab had been waiting for the return of her parents from umra. Zainab had promised to share her toys, which her parents would bring for her from umra, with Hania and her. “We miss her every day,” she said.

Published in Dawn, February 18th, 2018