LAHORE, July 26 (TNS): Taking strict notice of the incident of ‘rape for rape’ on the order of local Punchayat in Muzaffarabad area of Multan, the Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has issued directions to register a case against the criminals. As a result 20 persons including head of the Punchayat have been arrested whereas operations are underway to apprehend others including the prime suspect.
Earlier the CM had sought report from City Police Officer (CPO) Multan and also directed to take stern action against the responsible persons under the law.
The suspect who raped a 17-year-old girl in Multan’s Muzaffarabad area on the orders of Panchayat (village council) is still at large as the police remained unsuccessful in arresting him even after 14 hours of the incident.
On July 16, 12-year-old Shamim Bibi was allegedly raped by Umer Wada. A Panchayat headed by Ameen and Saeed Patwari was held to declare the verdict in the incident. The Panchayat members directed Shamim Bibi’s brother Ishfaque to avenge the incident while raping Wada’s sister, Azra. On July 18, Ishfaque raped Azra while complying with the council’s orders.
Shamim’s family had filed a case against Wada in Women Police Centre. However; when Azra’s parents came to know of the incident they also filed a case against Ishfaque. Muzaffarbad police came into action after receiving information of Panchayt’s decision and arrested the council head Ameen and several others.
