Dubai: Pakistan army has offered its support and assistance in the rape and murder case of 10-year-old Farishta Mohmand, which has taken the nation by storm.
Major General Asif Ghafoor, Director General of Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on his official twitter handle that army is ready to provide any support in this regard. “Brutal murder of innocent Farishta is highly condemnable. Those responsible must be brought to justice," he tweeted.
"We must rise and join to protect our future generations from vile and despicable elements who prey on vulnerable children," he added.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan has also ordered action against police officials for negligence, according to a statement issued from his office on Wednesday.
The prime minister ordered registration of cases against concerned station house officer (SHO) and other relevant officials, and departmental proceedings be initiated and finalised at the earliest; while the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) be placed under suspension and Superintendent of Police of the zone be removed from the position till finalisation of judicial inquiry.
"It is a failure of system that police staff forced the children of affected family to clean their offices instead of taking promot action. Departmental proceedings be initiated against the perpetrators and finalised expeditiously," the Prime Minister’s statement said.
Police officers concerned have already been arrested after a case was lodged against the station house officer (SHO) Shahzad Town in Islamabad and other policemen for negligence in the case.
Farishta’s body was discovered from forest two days ago and later shifted to the Poly Clinic for post-mortem, according to Geo TV.
Her family, which belongs to Mohmand Agency, said they had tried to file a missing person report with the police on May 15, but it took police until May 19 to register the FIR and, even then, a proper search was not initiated.
The minor girl's body was later discovered by people who subsequently informed the police.
The FIR registered by Farishta's father, Ghulam Nabi, states the family visited the police station for the registration of a missing complaint.
However, the SHO instead of looking for the girl, alleged that she had run away with someone.
Police have also announced to arrest a close relative of Farishta but did not provide further details.
