Widespread outrage over Motorway grang-rape

As the gang-rape of a woman in front of her children on Motorway in the Gujjarpura area of Lahore triggered a strong reaction, PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif described it as a proof of the paralysed system while JI chief Siraj-ul-Haq gave a two-day ultimatum to the government.

On the other hand, 24NewsHD TV channel in a report said that the Lahore-Sialkot Motorway was operational for the last six months but had not been handed over to the National Highways and Motorway Police due to the negligence of the National Highway Authority (NHA).

Hence, there is no mechanism and structure for security patrolling on the motorway. It is said that the NHA had written a letter on the subject to the IG office of the National Highways and Motorway Police but there has been no progress so far.

In a statement, Shehbaz said the incident represented national shame and called for immediate and effective investigation and prosecution. One would to have answer the question that whose incompetence made the motorway an insecure place when it was once considered a symbol of save travel.

Similarly, Siraj warned that they would announce their future course of action if the culprits were not arrested within 48 hours. The country was being ruled by the law of jungle and wolves, said the JI chief as he blasted the government on the issue.

Meanwhile, PML-N Vice-president Maryam Nawaz said the tragic rape incident on motorway was as traumatising and heart-rending.

“Such incidents are indicative of a deeper malaise that warrant a national response so as to put an end to the curse that stems from a culture that encourages impunity,” she added.

The tragic rape incident on motorway is as traumatising & heart-rending for me as it is for the entire nation. Such incidents are indicative of a deeper malaise that warrant a national response so as to put an end to the curse that stems from a culture that encourages impunity.

— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) September 10, 2020

On the other hand, Chief Minister Usman Buzdar sought a report on the issue as he ordered immediate arrest of the criminals. 

Earlier on Wednesday night, two armed men ganged raped the woman while she was waiting for help on the motorway.

According to details, the woman, who was coming to Lahore from Gujranwala, parked her car on roadside as it rain out of fuel soon after crossing toll plaza. When she called the National Highways and Motorway Police, she was told that the area did not fall under their jurisdiction. 

Meanwhile, the armed men appeared there and forced them to leave the car. Later, they took the women and her children to a nearby deserted place covered by trees where they gang-raped her in front of her children.

The criminals later fled the scene after snatching the cash and other valuable items.

On the other hand, the National Highways and Motorway Police say the incident occurred near the Karol village in the Gujjarpura area which were not control by them because the Lahore-Sialkot Motorway had not been handed over to them.

As far the investigation is concerned, different teams have been formed for the purpose as the investigators are using CCTV footage and geo-fencing to identify the culprits.