Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday hailed the “courage” of the police officer who risked his daughter’s life to arrest the man involved in the rape of a woman and her five-year-old daughter.
Khan spoke to Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Muhammad Bux Buriro and lauded the police officer as well as his daughter’s “exemplary initiative and courage in the arrest of Kashmore rapist.” Khan said in a tweet that “The nation is proud of them and he has given positive uplift to image of police.”
The Pakistani police officer has been praised for his “courageous and risky move” to apprehend the rape suspects and to rescue a minor girl in Sindh’s Kashmore district. To show respect to the policeman and his daughter, Sindh government has announced a gallantry award for ASI Buriro and a cash award of Rs1 million for his daughter.
Anti-rape law
Khan also said that the government would announce a “stringent, holistic anti-rape ordinance” next week to ensure the safety of the citizens especially women and children. Khan earlier announced three-tier legislation that includes the registration of sex offenders, exemplary punishment for rape and child abuse and effective policing. The law will also provide protection to witnesses, as the conviction rate remains low “in absence of proper prosecution and concrete evidence” he said.
Over the past few weeks, multiple rape cases have been widely covered in Pakistan’s mainstream and social media after the public attention focused on rape and sexual violence following the horrific motorway gang rape case of a woman in front of her children. The prime culprit involved in the gang rape was arrested after a month.
The series of rape and child sexual abuse cases in Pakistan has stirred a public debate over how to curb violent crimes incidences. While many citizens demanded chemical castration and public hanging of rapists and child abusers, human rights campaigners are instead urging reforms in the police and judiciary and increased public awareness campaigns to fight sexual abuse. “There is anger and frustration in the society that women and children are not safe due to the impression that police and legal approach has not changed over the years,” says Anam Khan, a social activist.
Rape is a criminal offense in Pakistan under section 375 and 376 of Pakistan Penal Code and is punishable by death or imprisonment of up to 25 years.
