Shehbaz Sharif went to the residence of Zainab in Kasur, met with her father and other family members amid tense situation in the district. He said elements indulging in acts of brutality with the innocent children are not human but savages and a burden on the soil.
Residents of Kasur continued protests across the city, including Kali Pul Chowk. The Ferozepur Road, linking Kasur to nearby towns and cities, remained blocked. Markets in Kasur remained closed in protest against the incident. Similarly, sporadic demonstrations were held outside the District Headquarters Hospital where protesters ransacked the premises, which was left devoid of equipment as well as security and medical staff.
The Punjab government announced that anybody helping in identification of the criminal will be given Rs 10 million cash prize. The Punjab government also announced financial aid for the heirs of two persons who died due to police firing and Rs three million will be given to the heirs of each family. Moreover, two persons from the heirs will also be given employment.
After his return from Kasur where he went early in the morning to condole with the bereaved family, Shehbaz said that he has directed the police to immediately arrest the criminal and give him severest punishment according to law so that no one could dare of doing such a heinous crime in future. He said that legal action will also be initiated against the police officials involved in firing at the protestors without any reason.
He said that a high-level JIT comprising civil and army officials has been constituted to probe the matter. Talking to the parent of ill-fated girl, Shehbaz said, "We not only ensure justice but it will also be felt clearly. This atrocious incident is a matter of concern for all of us and I am duty-bound to ensure that justice should be dissipated immediately."
He said, "The Punjab government fully sides with your family and every possible support will be provided to you. It is my promise that I shall ensure justice to you at every cost." Moreover, Shehbaz chaired a meeting of cabinet committee on law and order in which initial reports about the tragic incident were presented.
The meeting also offered 'fateha' for late Zenaib and two other persons died due to the firing. It was decided to present the challan of the case within 24 hours and anybody helping in identification of the criminal will be given Rs 10 million cash prize.
Expressing his heartfelt grief over the incidents of killing of an innocent girl after molestation and death of two persons due to firing, Shehbaz said that he will not tolerate any delay in submission of challan. He directed to arrest the criminal involved in rape-cum-murder adding that this savage beast shall not escape from the clutches of law.
Addressing the meeting, Shehbaz said that there was no justification of straight firing by the police officials and cruelty has been meted out by firing at the unarmed persons. "Where were necessary protective arrangements? I had issued necessary directions after holding a meeting yesterday morning but despite that worst negligence has been shown by firing at the unarmed persons," he said.
He reiterated that every requirement of justice will be fulfilled in this case and directed that CCTVs should be installed in different areas of Kasur immediately and these cameras will be connected with Integrated Command, Control and Communication Centre. He also asked the head of JIT Abu Bakar Khuda Bakhsh to stay in Kasur.
The Ministers of State Usman Ibrahim and Haji Akram Ansari, Provincial Ministers Rana Sanaullah, Colonel (Retd) Ayub Gadhi, Chief Secretary, ACS (Home), IG Police and high officers attended the meeting while Provincial Minister Jehangir Khanzada from Attock, RPO Sheikhupura and DC and DPO Kasur participated in the meeting via video link.