Police have arrested a suspect within two hours of the reported sexual assault of a three-year-old girl in Kot Addu., tracing him through Close-Circuit Television (CCTV) footage, Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz said on Tuesday.
In a post on X, CM Maryam reacted to the incident and referred to the suspect’s age while condemning the alleged act. “Look at his age and look at the heinous act he has committed. Heartbreaking,” she wrote.
The case involved a three-year-old girl who was subjected to sexual assault within the jurisdiction of City Police Station of the southern Punjab district.
According to the details shared by police, the suspect, identified as Lakhmir Bala, worked as a street vegetable hawker in the area. He allegedly lured the child away before sexually assaulting her.
The minor is receiving treatment at Nishtar Hospital in Multan, where she is reportedly battling for her life. A medical examination confirmed that the child had suffered sexual assault.
The incident came to light after the girl went outside to play but did not return home. According to the FIR [First Information Report], registered on the complaint of her father, the family began searching for her and heard her crying outside a house.
The complainant alleged that he found the suspect sexually assaulting his daughter. The suspect fled after seeing the girl’s parents, the FIR stated.
Police registered the case on the father’s complaint in Chak 571 TDA, within the jurisdiction of Sarwar Shaheed tehsil.
The minor’s family had earlier appealed to the government to take notice of the incident and ensure action against the suspect.
Further probe is underway.
