Prime accused of molestation, killing of children arrested in Punjab

Tariq Butt, Staff Reporter

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar told reporters that 27-year-old suspect, Sohail Shahzad, has been identified through scientific investigation into the case using polygraphic and DNA tests.

He said law enforcement agencies did geo-fencing of 1,649 suspects and conducted DNA tests of 1,543 citizens to unearth the identity of the culprit.

"Semen on the clothes of one boy and bloodstains on the clothes of another matched the samples taken from the suspect,” said Buzdar, adding that the suspect was behind all four sodomy and murder cases.

He said the suspect would be tried in an anti-terrorism court where hearings would be held on a daily basis. "I will supervise the Chunian case myself,” he said.

The chief minister said an incident of child molestation also took place in Hussain Wala Village after which an innocent girl was murdered after being molested and now in 2019 four children — Faizan, Ali Hassan, Salman Akram, and Muhammad Imran — were also murdered after being subjected to molestation.

"I was performing Umrah in Saudi Arabia when I was informed about the tragic incident. On my return, I immediately visited Chunian and met the bereaved families and promised to provide them justice,” said Buzdar, appreciating and commending the dedicated work of police.

"Investigation into this case has been carried out on a scientific basis. All resources were provided to the police for tracing the accused. Strict legal action will be taken against the accused according to the law and justice will be provided to the bereaved families,” he said.

Sohail Shahzad is rickshaw driver, who allegedly kidnapped four children from Chunian industrial area and later took them to an abandoned spot, where he raped and then strangled them to death. His victims, who ranged from the ages of 8-12 years, first went missing in June.