CM chairs meeting over murder of 8-year-old girl

F.P. Report

PESHAWAR: A high level meeting with regard to Child Protection Bill and progress over 8 year old Hooz Noor murder case in District Nowshera was held on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan in which a provincial prosecution team was constituted to work simultaneously with Police Department and council of the aggrieved family in order to ensure provision of swift justice within shortest possible time frame.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister also consulted with Speaker KP Assembly Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani for immediate functionalization of the Child Protection Special Committee which will work on recommendations for provision of severe punishments along with placing child molesters on a continuous watch list.

The committee will also work on necessary amendments required in Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and the Provincial Laws and will submit its recommendations and draft bill respectively within one month time.

The meeting was attended by Minister Law Sultan Muhammad Khan, Secretary Home, Secretary Social Welfare, Secretary Law, DG Prosecution, Regional Police Officer Mardan, District Police Officer Nowshera, SP Investigation and other officials.

The Chief Minister also directed that the committee should undertake necessary measures for presenting recommendations so that punishments may be provided to child molesters and murderers within the shortest possible time.

The Chief Minister was briefed in detail regarding the progress on eight year old Hooz Noor murder case regarding which he was informed that forensic samples of the victim have been sent to Punjab Forensic Laboratory.

The detailed report will be provided within one week time to ascertain various aspects of the case at hand. DPO Nowshera, informed the Chief Minister that the police department is continuously in contact with the aggrieved family and every possible support is being provided to the family.

The Chief Minister directed that the aggrieved family must be kept updated regarding the entire investigation process and every step should be taken to address their concerns in a timely manner.

He further directed that immediate measures should be taken for the establishment of a comprehensive Forensic Laboratory in the province so that investigations in such cases may be done hastily within the province.

The Chief Minister univocally stated that zero tolerance will be shown towards such offenders whereas every possible step will be taken to not only root out such crimes from the province but also to establish strong deterrence for such offenders.

He reiterated that such vicious criminals will be brought to justice at every cost.