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Alarming increase in minor sexual abuse cases in Karachi in 2022

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  • Over 200 minor sexual abuse cases reported in Karachi in 2022
  • At least six such cases were reported in three and a half months
  • Most vulnerable age group was 5-11 (36 %), followed by 12-17 (29 %)

KARACHI: Cases of minor girls’ murder after rape have seen a worrisome increase in Karachi during 2022 with a sudden upsurge monitored recently, with at least six such cases reported in three and a half months — half of them this December alone, reported The News on Tuesday.

Over 200 sexual abuse cases have been reported in the city this year. The Karachi police statistics show that in eight of the 216 abuse cases, the victims were aged five years or less, 40 were between six and 10, 38 were between 15 and 18, and 95 were over 18.

Police have arrested the suspects in almost all minor abuse-related cases. In most cases, close relatives and neighbours were involved.

This month, a man named Mujeebullah, alias Nadeem was arrested over the rape and murder of his 12-year-old niece in the Jacob Lines area, in the Brigade police station’s jurisdiction.

Sindh police chief IGP Ghulam Nabi Memon told The News, “In cases where close relatives are involved and doing such things in the house; the police can’t do anything.” However, he added that the police could timely investigate these cases with the help of forensic and digital evidence they gather.

Explaining how forensic evidence helps solve such cases, the IG Sindh said, “In the Landhi Muslimabad case, in which a murdered seven-year-old girl was found in the garbage on December 16, forensic evidence helped the police. While 25 DNA samples didn’t match, the 26th did.”

“Police investigations in such cases have seen much improvement compared to the earlier situation, but now they need more training to deal with these cases,” the IGP said regarding the expertise of police investigators.

The War Against Rape (WAR), a non-governmental organisation focusing on such incidents, told that until July, in the 42 cases, 27 (64%) survivors were children under 18 years.

The most vulnerable age group was 5-11 years (36%), followed by 12-17 years (29%). The average age was 14 years in all cases investigated, with the minimum age of survivors being five years.

Thirty-eight (90%) cases were reported of women and female children. Regarding the nature of the assault, 64% of the cases were rape, 18% of gang rape, 12% of incest and 6% of sexual assault.

District West has been the red-alert zone, indicating the highest incidence of sexual violence at 47%, followed by District East 21%, District Korangi 14%, Malir and South districts 8% each, and the Keamari and Central districts 1% each.

WAR programme officer Sheraz Ahmed told The News, “The government should adopt and expand life skills-based education, also known as comprehensive sexuality education, across Pakistan.”

He added, “They should also expand training programmes for parents and teachers to make children aware of the good and bad touch, or the self-protection knowledge. You can’t trust anyone. Close relatives are also found involved in some of these cases.”

He pointed out that parents should have a good relationship with their children to train them to sense the bad touches and never leave their children alone at home.

“But if they’re forced to leave their children home alone, they should lock the door outside after taking all the precautionary measures like switching off the gas, etc.”

He stressed the need for the effective implementation of the Zainab Alert app. He said that some cases were reported on the application, but the government was not accepting them.

“Children will be safeguarded when the state’s approach is proactive. Teachers should learn tips and techniques to identify child sexual abuse symptoms or signs. The media can also play a better role in spreading awareness.”

He said that the police should also play their role because these cases occur inside homes and out on the streets and empty plots, adding that the police should take the missing cases seriously.

He lamented that in some cases, police negligence or delay is found to be the cause of the culprits succeeding in their brutal acts. Since close relatives and neighbours are involved, they kill the victims to protect their identities and avoid being arrested.

“The minor Afghan girl killed recently at the Afghan camp in Karachi had been abducted, then raped and murdered on an empty plot. She was playing with the neighbours’ children and was alone when she was kidnapped because her friends had gone back home. The parents’ responsibility was to ask her to return home on time.”

The Karachi police surgeon’s office has also recorded an increase in such cases. “In the last year, cases of rape-murder have increased considerably. Of much concern is the number of minor boys and girls murdered after being raped,” Police Surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed told The News.

“A variety of injuries have been seen, depending upon the age and physique of the victim in comparison with the perpetrator. In most instances involving very young children, there may not be physical injuries because they’re quickly overpowered.”

December 13

A six-year-old Afghan girl was raped and killed after missing from outside her house. The family frantically searched for her but to no avail. Later, the girl’s body was recovered from a deserted house near the Gulshan-e-Maymar Afghan camp police checkpoint.

December 8

A teenage girl was raped and murdered by a man the locals then caught as he tried to escape in the Gulshan-e-Iqbal neighbourhood, which falls in the Mobina Town police station’s jurisdiction.

The 14-year-old girl was found inside her home near the Mosamiyat area. A local plumber had strangled her. The killer had worked at her house as a plumber. He had forced his way into the house when the girl was alone.

December 6

A 12-year-old girl was killed after being subjected to rape in a house located in the Jacob Lines area, which falls in the Brigade police station’s jurisdiction. Police arrested her uncle for the incident.

November 18

A seven-year-old girl was raped and killed in Landhi’s Muslimabad area, which falls in the Quaidabad police station’s jurisdiction. Her family held a protest because the police delayed searching for the missing girl and registering a case for at least two days.

September 21

A 12-year-old girl was found hanging from the ceiling in a room of her house in the Korangi area, which falls in the Zaman Town police station’s jurisdiction. Police said she might have been killed by her tormentor, fearing that she would speak up against him.

September 10

A 10-year-old girl was raped and killed in Kashmir Colony, which falls in the Mehmoodabad police station’s jurisdiction. The suspect strangled the victim first and then raped her. The victim’s parents said they found the girl’s body on the stairs leading up to the first floor of their house.

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Speech Made by Pakistan’s Prime Minister on the International Day Against Poverty

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In renewing our commitment to a world where no one is left behind and where possibilities for success are unrestricted by one’s origin or circumstances, Pakistan stands together with the global community on this International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. In addition to being morally right, ending poverty is essential to attaining sustainable development and guaranteeing everyone’s peace and prosperity.

The people have always been the center of every policy made by our government. We have significantly reduced poverty and made sure that our most vulnerable residents are taken care of thanks to our social safety net programs. We think that providing long-term routes to economic empowerment is equally as important as providing instant relief when it comes to assisting people in escaping poverty. Our focused initiatives seek to equip communities—women and children in particular—with the means to create better futures for themselves.

The Pakistani government is steadfast in its commitment to improving the affordability of living for its citizens despite the obstacles we face on a global scale, such as inflation and economic instability. Our policies are designed to build long-term economic resilience, from meeting housing needs to guaranteeing food security. With the help of programs like the PM Youth Business, Agriculture Loans, Digi-Skills, which offers free IT training, and the Pakistan Education Endowment Fund, millions of families are receiving financial support and technological help that is changing their lives.

Eradicating poverty is also a top priority for Pakistan, which is still fully committed to reaching the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With a focus on inclusive growth, education, healthcare, and environmental sustainability, we will keep working together with our international partners to achieve these goals. The advancements made in empowering women and guaranteeing that their contributions are essential to the country’s social and economic fabric are another reason for pride.

On this day, I would want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who is devotedly striving to end poverty, both in Pakistan and globally. We can create a future where everyone, regardless of circumstances, has the chance to flourish and succeed by uniting with a shared purpose and unwavering determination.

I speak on behalf of the Government of Pakistan to reiterate our steadfast commitment to this cause and to extend an invitation to all facets of society to work with us to create a world that is more wealthy, just, and inclusive.

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Karan Johar compliments Chahat Fateh Ali Khan’s ‘Tauba Tauba.’

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Chahat Fateh Ali Khan, a social media sensation known for his song ‘Bado Badi’, has garnered attention once more after posting his rendition of the classic track ‘Tauba Tauba’ on Instagram.

The song, initially included in the Vicky Kaushal film ‘Bad Newz’, achieved significant popularity due to its infectious rhythms and distinctive choreography.

Chahat’s rendition garnered heightened attention after Bollywood director Karan Johar reposted it on his Instagram, urging fans to ‘must see’ the song.

Karan Johar Chahat Fateh

Chahat’s performance garnered mixed to unfavorable responses from the audience. As the infectious melody rapidly gained popularity, the original artist, Karan Aujla, could not refrain from contributing a funny remark regarding the new rendition.

He humorously commented under Chahat’s post, “Please do not act like an uncle.” The reply provoked a barrage of caustic remarks from internet users, with one individual jesting, “Karan Aujla weeping in the corner.”

Others contributed their own comical interpretations, with comments such as “Karan himself advised uncle to cease” and “your song – toba toba,” thereby accentuating the playful repartee.

Karan Aujla’s original ‘Tauba Tauba’ achieved immediate success, showcasing Vicky Kaushal’s energetic dance performance in ‘Bad Newz,’ which also included Ammy Virk and Triptii Dimri.

The ongoing lighthearted rivalry is delighting fans who appreciate the fun interactions between these two skilled artists.

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It is essential to combat terrorism, separatism, and extremism for regional peace. Jaishankar

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Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, during his remarks at the 23rd Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, underscored the necessity of peace, stability, and regional collaboration to foster economic development and prosperity.

He emphasized that cross-border infiltration undermines trade and hinders diplomatic relations between nations, underscoring the necessity of mutual respect and sovereign equality among SCO members.

Jaishankar emphasized the capacity of industrial collaboration, especially among small and medium companies (SMEs), to enhance employment, competition, and market expansion. The Indian foreign minister noted, “Collective initiatives can enhance resources and stimulate investment flows, benefiting business communities through expanded networks.”

Emphasizing environmental sustainability, Jaishankar endorsed collaborative efforts in environmental protection, highlighting that the International Solar Alliance can advance renewable energy, while the Alliance for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure equips member nations to confront climate-related challenges.

He also discussed global health concerns, claiming that affordable and accessible medications will facilitate the treatment of both communicable and non-communicable diseases.

Jaishankar advocated for extensive reforms in international organizations, highlighting the necessity to modernize entities such as the United Nations Security Council. He stated, “Global trade and rebalancing are undeniable realities,” encouraging SCO states to capitalize on rising opportunities in trade, investment, and energy collaboration.

Jaishankar emphasized that the area can only derive advantages from these potential if collaboration is founded on authentic partnerships rather than unilateral objectives. He advocated for a candid dialogue among SCO members to tackle trust problems and foster regional development. He stated that mutual trust and cooperation are essential for attaining regional progress.

Furthermore, Jaishankar emphasized the catastrophic effects of the COVID-19 epidemic on developing countries and expressed apprehensions regarding escalating debt and the worldwide delay in attaining Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He recognized the potential afforded by technology, yet emphasized that it also presents new issues requiring community resolution.

Jaishankar reiterated India’s endorsement of Pakistan’s effective leadership of the SCO this year and commended the host nation for leading the summit. He finished by urging SCO member nations to adhere to the organization’s aims, especially the enhancement of mutual trust, camaraderie, and amicable relations.

Jaishankar emphasized the necessity for the SCO to assume a pivotal role in tackling regional and global challenges, especially in combating terrorism, separatism, and extremism, which he deemed essential for maintaining peace and stability.

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