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One of the most heinous incidents in Pakistan’s recent history, a scandal of mass proportions, the Kasur child abuse case had left the country speechless. The incident also dented Pakistan’s integrity in the international world, showcasing a sick taboo, in the worst form.
In Kasur, Punjab, over 300 children were recovered after regular child abuse and filming of child pornography. The culprits of this group were known to be influentials of Punjab, who had gripping links with the government and ruling party.
Victims and their families are now blaming the Punjab government for providing relief to the culprits instead of the victims, as the case has been overshadowed altogether. The residents of Kasur, while addressing a press conference at the Lahore Press Club threatened the government that they would set themselves on fire in front of the Punjab Assembly if their demands were not met.
Kasur Union Council Chairman Mubeen Ghazanvi led the way in the press conference, where he said the following things: “We have lost trust in the Punjab government because the (alleged) rapists are being provided protocol on the behest of the rulers. The victims are being victimized. The criminals are hurling life threats at the victims and their families from jails by using mobile phones.”
The Chairman added that if the Punjab Government fails to help these victims and their families as promised, they would collectively burn themselves, ridding the ruling party of any chances of coming back into power in the 2018 elections.
Furthermore, family members of the child abuse scandal stated that the local police of Kasur was taking revenge against the victims and their families, by tormenting them in different ways. The Punjab Govt. had also promised to provide the victims with counseling and rehabilitation, a promise that seems long forgotten.
“When the victims appear in the courts, they are threatened by the criminals. The victims are not provided legal assistance by the government so far. They are not being provided security and transport to appear in courts as they were promised,” said one family member.
The victims and their families plan on heading towards the Punjab Assembly on Monday and commit a collective act of ‘self-immolation’ if their demands are not met. Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif, who is also the upcoming candidate for Pakistan’s Prime Minister from the ruling party’s side, needs to take quick and stern action against the culprits and tormentors — providing relief to the victims as promised.
