School van driver accused of molesting young girl
The administration of Akbar Public School in North Karachi banned a school van driver for molesting a 14-year-old female student after initially failing to take action on the complaints of the victim’s mother.
In a video circulating on social media, the woman claimed that she had approached the school several times for action against the accused, however her complaints went unheard. Taking notice of the video, the Directorate of Inspection and Registration of Private Institutions Sindh (DIRPIS) sent an inquiry team to the school.
It was found that the 55-year-old driver, who was associated with the school for the past decade, had touched the girl inappropriately. He later paid her Rs. 100 not to tell anyone of the incident, however the victim immediately informed her parents.
The accused has claimed that he had accidentally touched her. Meanwhile, the school administration told the inquiry team that the driver worked for a private firm contracted by the parents, and not for the school.
On Friday, DIRPIS issued a warning letter to the school for failing to resolve the issue, and to maintain vigilance and take appropriate steps to ensure such incidents do not occur in the future. Following the inquiry, the school principal issued a lifetime ban on the accused driver.
Protest over extrajudicial killing in “staged encounter”
Relatives of a man gunned down in an alleged staged encounter with police on Thursday held a protest outside the office of the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in Hyderabad.
The deceased, Mehboob Leghari, succumbed to his wounds at the Liaquat University Hospital. According to his family, Leghari, a rickshaw driver by profession, and his cousin were picked up by police on May 8 and remained missing since.
His family had moved the Sindh High Court for their recovery. Protesters placed the body of the deceased outside the SSP’s office, and demanded a case be registered against Station House Officer (SHO) Imran Rasheed.
According to police, Leghari was involved in robberies in Qasimabad, Bhitai Nagar, Naseem Nagar and Latifabad.
Rs. 300 million approved for potable water in Pir Koh
Chief Minister (CM) Balochistan Mir Quddus Bizenjo on Thursday approved Rs. 300 million on an emergency basis for the provision of potable water to Pir Koh village in Dera Bugti district, which is currently reeling with a cholera outbreak.
As of Wednesday, at least four including a child were reported dead and hundreds hospitalized from the village. On Thursday, the number of cholera patients was recorded at 1,622 with no new deaths. A health emergency has been declared Dera Bugti.
The disease is suspected to have spread due to contaminated water from a rusted 32-year-old pipeline installed by the Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL). Supply was suspended after the outbreak.