Nowshera girl murder case : KP govt constitutes prosecution team for speedy justice

PESHAWAR: The KP government on Wednesday constituted a provincial prosecution team to ensure dispensation of speedy justice to the family of a girl child who was murdered in Nowshera recently after being allegedly subjected to abuse.

The step was taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on the Child Protection Bill and the progress on the murder case of the 8-year-old child (HN) in Nowshera, said an official handout, adding the team would work with the Police Department and the aggrieved family, simultaneously. Law Minister Sultan Muhammad Khan, secretary Home, Secretary, Social Welfare, Secretary, Law, Prosecution head, Regional Police Officer of Mardan, Nowshera District Police Officer, SP Investigation and other officials were at the meeting.

The chief minister called and consulted KP Assembly Speaker Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani for immediate functionalisation of the Child Protection Special Committee.

It will work on recommendations for the provision of severe punishment along with placing child molesters on a continuous watch list.

The committee will work on necessary amendments required to the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and the provincial laws and submit own recommendations and draft bill, respectively, within a month.

Mahmood Khan said the committee should undertake necessary measures for presenting recommendations so that punishment may be awarded to the child abusers and murderers within the shortest possible time.

The chief minister was briefed on the progress on the child murder case in Nowshera. He was informed that samples taken from the victim had been sent to Punjab Forensic Laboratory.

The detailed report would be received within a week to ascertain various aspects of the case.

The Nowshera DPO informed the chief minister that the Police Department was in contact with the aggrieved family members and every possible support was being extended to them.

The chief minister directed the official to keep the aggrieved family updated on the entire investigation process and every step should be taken to address their concerns in time.

He said 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.