LHC Seeks Report on Kidnapping of Minor Girls in Punjab

By Farzana Chaudhry | Lahore, Pakistan
LAHORE: The Lahore High Court has summoned a comprehensive report from the Inspector General of Punjab Police regarding cases of kidnapping of minor girls across Punjab.
The court also directed that a detailed account of the performance of investigation officers handling such cases be submitted.
Chief Justice Aalia Neelum heard the petition filed by Salma Bibi.
During the proceedings, IG Punjab Rao Abdul Karim Khan presented a report and informed the court that a missing minor girl in a 2022 case had been murdered.
Upon inquiry by the court regarding how the murder was established, the IG stated that during the physical remand of a suspect—identified as the son-in-law of the house owner where the girl had been employed as a domestic worker—investigators gathered evidence. Call Detail Records (CDR) indicated that the girl had been in contact with an accused identified as Mohsin, who is currently on physical remand. The suspect allegedly confessed to killing the girl and disposing of her body in a drain.
The Chief Justice questioned whether the police had properly handled the burial of the victim and raised concerns over the time taken to resolve the case. The IG informed the court that it took approximately four years to establish the facts.
Expressing dissatisfaction, Chief Justice Aalia Neelum criticized the delay and the conduct of investigation officers, noting that such cases are often not taken seriously at the initial stage. She observed that police officials frequently assume that missing girls may have left voluntarily, which hampers timely investigation.
The court emphasized the need to appoint competent and diligent investigation officers and directed that cases be assigned based on officers’ past performance records to ensure swift and effective justice.