KOHAT: A child protection court here on Tuesday convicted a man of assaulting his teenage daughter in Shakardara area around two years ago, and sentenced him to life imprisonment besides fining him Rs100,000.

The court presided over by additional sessions judge Khalid Hussain ruled that the prosecution had substantiated the guilt of the accused, Raziqur Rehman, beyond any shadow of doubt.

While sentencing the convict under section 376 (3) of Pakistan Penal Code, the court also sentenced him for criminal intimidation to two years imprisonment and fined him another Rs10,000.

A deputy public prosecutor, Zulfiqar Ali appeared for the state. An FIR of the occurrence was registered at Shakardara police station in Kohat on July 31, 2022, by the victim’s mother.

The prosecutor said the complainant claimed while she had gone out for collecting firewood, her husband assaulted his 13-year-old daughter and also intimidated her to remain silent.

The complainant claimed her daughter was not feeling well and when she took her to a lady doctor she was informed the girl was pregnant. She added on inquiry the victim informed her about the occurrence.

Zulfiqar Ali contended that the DNA report was also positive connecting the accused with the commission of the offence. He added the accused was involved in a heinous and immoral act and didn’t deserve any leniency.

The defence counsel contended that the alleged victim had remained silent about the occurrence for many months. He stated the statements of the victim and the complainant conflicted each other.

Moreover, he said that the complainant had also stated that she had no objection if the accused was acquitted and set free.

HOSPITAL UPGRADATION: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has approved the long awaited upgradation of the Divisional Headquarters Hospital, Kohat.

Talking to reporters here on Tuesday, adviser to the chief minister on health Ehtesham Ali said that Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur had approved the upgradation of the hospital to rid the patients of being referred to Peshawar hospitals at great expense.

Law minister Aftab Alam and MPA Daud Khan Afridi were also present on the occasion.

Mr Ali said there was also a plan to provide the tehsil level hospitals of Kohat with all the required facilities.

On the occasion, law minister Aftab Alam said work was being accelerated on the under-construction building of Liaquat Memorial Women and Children Hospital.

He said provision of latest equipment to the Divisional Headquarters Hospital would ensure patients’ quality treatment.

Published in Dawn, April 9th, 2025