REPORT
MUHAMMAD UMAIR
A 12-year-old girl, Maimoona, who had left home to attend a madrassa, was found dead beneath a charpoy in a sitting room reportedly belonging to her maternal uncle in Dhoke Najju, Khayaban-e-Sir Syed, Rawalpindi. The tragic incident has raised serious concerns about child safety, while police are investigating the case.
According to reports, Maimoona left home at around 2 p.m. carrying her Noorani Qaida to attend her religious lessons. However, she did not return home. Her family searched for her desperately, and her father reportedly went from street to street calling her name. When the girl could not be found, a kidnapping case was registered at Pirwadhai Police Station under Section 365-B of the Pakistan Penal Code.
According to the reported account, her maternal uncle, identified as Mumraiz, was also involved in the search for the missing girl. CCTV footage reportedly became an important part of the investigation, and police suspicion intensified following developments during the inquiry. During the investigation, Maimoona’s body was reportedly recovered from beneath a charpoy in the sitting room. Reports further stated that a piece of cloth had been stuffed into the child’s mouth.
Police took custody of the body and shifted it to Holy Family Hospital for a post-mortem examination. According to the available account, authorities were also considering adding Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code, relating to murder, to the case. Further investigation and efforts to establish the facts were reportedly underway.
The death of the young girl has left her family devastated and raised troubling questions about the protection of children in society. The case now awaits a thorough investigation, and any accused person must be dealt with in accordance with the law if the allegations are proven.
Maimoona’s tragic death leaves society with a painful question: How can children be kept safe when even trusted relationships come under suspicion?
