MULTAN, July 12: Allah Ditta Mastoi, the fourth rapist wanted in the Meerwala gang-rape case, was arrested on Friday from Fazilpur area of Rajanpur district.

Now all the six main accused — chief juror Faiz Bakhash Mastoi, juror Ramzan Pachaar, juror-cum-rapist Ghulam Farid, and rapists Abdul Khaliq, Fayyaz Hussain, and Allah Ditta— are in police custody

The police have yet to arrest two of the three wanted in the sodomy case lodged by the 12-year-old Shakoor Tatla (Mukhtiaran Mai - rape victim’s brother). The boy was accused by the Mastois of having ‘illicit’ relations with sister of the rapists Abdul Khaliq and Allah Ditta.

Young Shakoor had alleged that Jameel, Punnu and Manzoor sodomized him. As cover up of their crime the Mastoi tribe convened a panchayat which ordered the gang-rape of Shakoor’s sister as punishment, and implemented their verdict on the spot. Punnu and Manzoor are still at large.

Also, on the orders of Dera Ghazi Khan range DIG police, Asif Nawaz, Muzaffargarh city police DSP Shaukat has replaced the investigation officer Jatoi SDPO, Saeed Awan, who had pressured the rape victim’s family to record statements which favoured the Mastois. The SDPO Saeed Awan would now assist the DSP.

Opinion

Editorial

A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...
GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...