In a heartbreaking incident near Burewala, a 12-year-old boy named Muhammad Zaki, a resident of Azeemabad near village 429 EB Sheikh Fazil, was brutally killed by a man identified as Tariq Dogar for bathing at a tube well. Zaki, who was also memorizing the Quran, had gone to the tube well with his friends on Sunday between 10 and 11 a.m. He was sitting near the water tank while the other children bathed when the tragic event occurred.

Zaki’s father, 33-year-old Arsalan Butt, who works in Saudi Arabia, returned to Pakistan to attend his son's funeral.

Speaking to SAMAA Digital, he recounted the horrifying details of the incident. He said, “The accused, Tariq Dogar, opened fire from a distance while sitting in his vehicle. The bullet went through Zaki’s hand and struck both his legs. The children initially thought it was a firecracker, but Zaki collapsed to the ground.”

Arsalan added that the accused brandished his weapon and prevented anyone from approaching the injured child, leaving Zaki to suffer in pain. Citing eyewitness accounts from the children, Arsalan said, “Zaki held the suspect’s feet and repeatedly pleaded, ‘Uncle, what have I done?’ But the man showed no mercy and didn’t allow anyone to call for help. Due to excessive bleeding, Zaki died on the spot.”

According to Arsalan, the suspect, upon realizing that Zaki was breathing his last, tried to load the boy into his vehicle to dispose of the body. One of the children, however, informed villagers who were harvesting wheat nearby. The villagers intercepted the vehicle and forcefully stopped it.

Suspect Tariq Dogar

At that point, Tariq called his son, handed over the vehicle, and fled the scene. His son took Zaki to the hospital, where doctors confirmed the boy had already passed away. The accused’s son also escaped.

The victim’s father demanded justice, stating, “The culprit must be given strict punishment, as he has committed similar acts twice in the past.” He claimed that the accused’s brother is already imprisoned in another murder case, while his son was recently involved in a shooting incident and is currently under treatment in a hospital.

The incident has sparked outrage in the local community, with Zaki’s family and neighbors demanding justice and that the perpetrator be held accountable.

FIR

According to FIR No. 258/25 filed at the Sheikh Fazil Police Station, complainant Irshad Ahmed Butt (Zaki’s grandfather) stated that he had taken his grandson to farmer Muhammad Tariq’s tube well on a motorcycle. Several boys were bathing at the site, and Zaki was standing nearby when Tariq arrived, angrily shouted that he had forbidden boys from bathing there, and then opened fire on Zaki, critically injuring him.

Zaki was immediately rushed to the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital in Burewala, but he succumbed to his injuries.

Investigating Officer Rana Dilshad told SAMAA Digital that he received a call from the police station about the incident and reached the crime scene. There, he collected blood samples, blood-stained soil, and a 30-bore bullet casing, which have all been sent to the forensic lab in the provincial metropolis of Lahore for analysis.

Ifthikhar Mubarak, Executive Director of Search for Justice, while commenting on the event, emphasized that the most vulnerable segments of society continue to face neglect and indifference.

He pointed out that the physically weak are also politically marginalized, while the powerful continue to suppress them.

Drawing attention to symbolic acts of cruelty, he questioned the societal standards we are setting, referring to disturbing incidents such as minors were being tied to trees and subjected to violence by powerful segments. He stressed the urgent need for awareness and called on religious leaders and segments to take a proactive role.

Mubarak further highlighted the importance of fostering a tolerant society and urged law enforcement agencies to play their part by enforcing laws with zero tolerance for abuse and injustice.

Investigating Officer Rana Dilshad

Investigating Officer Rana Dilshad told SAMAA Digital, upon being contacted, that “he was informed about the incident via a phone call from the station’s naib muharrar (sub-clerk), after which he proceeded to the crime scene.”
Rana Dilshad stated that “he collected blood samples, blood-soaked soil, and a shell from a .30 bore weapon from the crime scene, which have been sent to the forensic lab.”
He also confirmed that the suspect’s brother is already in jail in connection with a murder case, while the suspect’s son was also involved in a firing incident, a case of which is registered at the Sadar Burewala police station.

SHO Malik Ahmed Kamran

SHO Sheikh Fazil, Malik Ahmed Kamran, confirmed the suspect’s arrest, saying the suspect would soon be presented before the court for remand.

Police Sources’ Claim

According to police sources, the suspect was arrested three hours after the incident. However, due to the absence of lock-up facilities at Sheikh Fazil police station, he is being kept at a secret location and is currently under interrogation.

Violence against children in Punjab

In 2023, Punjab experienced a significant surge in violence against children, as detailed in reports by the Sustainable Social Development Organisation (SSDO) and Sahil.

Child Abductions: A total of 2,534 children were kidnapped in Punjab, averaging about seven abductions daily. Lahore reported the highest number with 840 cases, followed by Sialkot (194) and Gujranwala (143) .

Sexual Abuse: There were 891 reported cases of child sexual abuse, marking a 69% increase from the previous year. Lahore again topped the list with 346 cases, followed by Sheikhupura (76) and Bahawalnagar (61) .

Child Murders: The province recorded 493 child homicide cases, averaging nine per week. Lahore (61), Faisalabad (32), and Gujranwala (26) were the most affected districts .

Physical Abuse and Trafficking: Incidents of physical abuse nearly doubled from 83 in 2022 to 157 in 2023. Child trafficking cases also rose significantly, with 108 cases reported compared to 49 the previous year. Sialkot, Faisalabad, and Sheikhupura were identified as hotspots for physical abuse, while Toba Tek Singh and Chiniot reported the highest numbers in trafficking cases .

National Perspective: Sahil's "Cruel Numbers 2023" report indicated that Punjab accounted for 75% of the 4,213 child abuse cases reported nationwide, highlighting the province's disproportionate share in such incidents .