This is the story of Zainab, an innocent little girl.
If you’re expecting a happy ending, you’ll be sorely disappointed. What happened to Zainab is unfathomable, but a harsh reality. Zainab went to attend her tuition class on Thursday but never returned home. People looked for her-all in vain. Some said she was kidnapped and sold. Some said she was raped and dead like those other girls. The latter spoke the cringing truth.
Zainab found
Alas, the Police found Zainab. Someone had thrown her body on a garbage heap after violating her. The police say she bore clear signs of sexual assault. Her abductor had raped her and then strangled her to death.
“Someone had thrown her on a garbage heap after they were done with her”
The little girl’s parents were out of country
Her parents are still in Saudi Arabia. They had gone to perform the holy Islamic pilgrimage and Zainab had been left in her aunt’s custody until their return. They were informed when she went missing; they were shattered. But at that time, at least they had hope they’d be reunited.
She happens to be the 11th girl who was kidnapped, raped and killed
Returning from pilgrimage is always a joyous event for the family, but this time it won’t be. Now, they will be coming back to the funeral of their little girl.
There are more like Zainab
Zainab is one of the many girls who have gone missing from Kasur. Such abductions have been taking place since last year. She happens to be the 11th girl who was kidnapped, raped and killed. These girls belonged to the age group of 5 to 8 years. Their bodies were later found in different parts of the city. Laiba, Asma, Sana, Fauzia, Noor Fatima and Aimaan Fatima. All aged between 5-8 yrs, raped and murdered. All of them are gone while their paedophilic murderers are probably on the lookout for their next victim.
There is a culprit
The police have been unsuccessful so far in their previous investigations. But in Zainab’s case, there has been a new development. A CCTV footage has been found where the suspect is clearly seen walking away with Zainab.
A needed resolution
It is also being said that the girl seems very comfortable in the footage with the stranger. Could it be possible that he was not a stranger after all? Maybe she knew him and that was how he lured her away. Now it’s the police’s job to find the culprit. It is our job as a community of free thinkers and social justice seekers to stand up for our children. If there is any resolution we ought to keep for 2018 and one that doesn’t have any religious, cultural or political barriers, it’s this one.
We need to do more
This brutality will only end when we, as individuals are willing to accept this as a problem and stand up to it. It’s when parents are willing to have conversations with their children about consent. It’s when we as a society are willing to make this a focal point of attention for our Government. It is only then that we can keep our children safe. Otherwise, it’s just another day, another Zainab.