Dhoke Hassu Tragedy: Rape and Murder of a Child, a Blatant
Violation of Child Rights
The brutal rape and subsequent murder of a minor girl in Dhoke Hassu, Rawalpindi, is not an
ordinary crime. It is a serious indictment of the state of Pakistan, law enforcement agencies,
and broader societal attitudes. This tragedy exposes the harsh reality that children in our
country remain highly vulnerable to extreme violence.
Pakistan has been a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
(UNCRC) since 1990. Article 3 of the Convention obliges the state to prioritize the best interests
of the child in all actions concerning children. The abduction, sexual assault, and murder of a
child is a direct violation of this principle and raises serious questions about state priorities.
Article 6 of the UNCRC guarantees every child’s right to life and obliges the state to ensure their
survival and protection. The Dhoke Hassu incident is not only a violation of this fundamental
right but also demonstrates that the state has failed in protecting its most vulnerable citizens.
Even more serious is the violation of Article 19 and Article 34. Article 19 requires the state to
protect children from all forms of physical, mental, and sexual violence, while Article 34
imposes an international duty to shield children from sexual exploitation and abuse. The sexual
assault followed by murder of an innocent child is a stark proof of the failure of child protection
mechanisms.
Furthermore, Article 39 obliges the state to provide prompt justice, rehabilitation, and
psychological support to children and families affected by violence or sexual abuse. Yet, in our
country, neither swift justice is delivered nor are perpetrators given exemplary punishment.
While child protection laws exist, their poor enforcement is a bitter reality. Delays in arresting
offenders, slow investigations, and judicial procrastination only encourage such crimes. In these
cases, leniency or silence is tantamount to complicity in the injustice.
Equally alarming is our collective societal attitude. We raise our voices for a few days following
heinous crimes like sexual assault and murder, only to lapse into silence. This silence lays the
foundation for the next atrocity. Meanwhile, the widespread presence of narcotics, particularly
“ice,” further corrodes society, fueling violence and sexual crimes, with children as the easiest
targets.
This is no longer a matter of justice for a single family; it is a question of the state’s credibility
and moral responsibility. The Government of Punjab, especially Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz,
must ensure immediate, transparent, and decisive action. Those responsible for the sexual
assault and murder of this child must face the harshest possible punishment, and the child
protection system must be made genuinely effective.
This editorial makes one point clear: silence is no longer acceptable, and delay is no longer
forgivable.
If protecting children from sexual violence and murder is not made a national priority today,
another innocent life will be lost tomorrow—and society will once again read the headline and
move on.
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