KARACHI, April 7: Former Prime Minister and Chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party, Benazir Bhutto, has condemned the incidence of a gang-rape in the jurisdiction of Rattodero police station and demanded immediate arrest of the culprits and punishment to them in accordance with the law. A twelve-year-old girl hailing from a very poor family was raped in Rattodero last week by three persons as the assailants made good their escape. Reportedly the culprits now wanted the matter to be settled through a tribal jirga.

The victim’s family has confirmed that they are being pressured by the criminals to hush up the matter in return for some monetary compensation.

In a statement issued by the media cell at Bilawal House on Thursday Ms Bhutto held the rulers responsible for the humiliation of women through gang-rape and other acts of violence against them.

She said that rapes were on the rise ever since the gang-rape of Dr Shazia in Sui was hushed up mysteriously.