Police in Sheikhupura have arrested a man accused of attempting to sexually assault an 11-year-old girl. The incident reportedly took place in Ferozewala on August 15. The girl had gone missing while travelling to her uncle’s house.
According to police, she disappeared at around 2pm. Her family then began searching for her and sought help from people nearby.
Witnesses reportedly directed the family towards a nearby field. Police said they found the suspect with the girl there. The suspect allegedly fled after being spotted. However, police later traced him and took him into custody.
Police Begin Forensic Investigation
Sheikhupura District Police Officer Bilal Zafar Sheikh said authorities secured the scene following the incident.
The Punjab Forensic Science Agency also collected evidence from the location. Police have sent the material for forensic analysis as part of the investigation.
Meanwhile, investigators have recorded witness statements under Section 161 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The provision covers the examination of witnesses by police during an investigation.
Police are continuing to examine the available evidence. They are also working to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Medical Examination Conducted
The girl also underwent a medical examination following the incident. According to the medical report cited by police, doctors concluded that an attempt to rape had occurred. The report also noted that there were no signs of hymen rupture.
Authorities have registered a first information report following a complaint from the girl’s father. The case was registered under Section 377-B of the Pakistan Penal Code. The provision concerns punishment for unnatural offences.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities examine the evidence and statements connected with the case.
Child Abuse Cases Remain a Concern in Punjab
The Sheikhupura case comes amid wider concerns surrounding child abuse in Pakistan.
Data released by child rights organisation Sahil showed that 1,914 child abuse cases were reported across the country during the first half of 2026.
Punjab accounted for 80 per cent of those reported cases, according to the organisation’s data. Several other cases have also emerged in the province in recent months.
In Bahawalnagar, Minchinabad police arrested a cleric on July 13. He was accused of sexually assaulting his 14-year-old student over a two-year period. The girl was also allegedly impregnated during that period.
Meanwhile, Sargodha police arrested four suspects in June. The arrests followed the murder of a seven-year-old girl whose body was found inside a shop.
The prime suspect in that case was accused of attempting to sexually assault the child before killing her.
Police later said the prime suspect died during an alleged encounter with the Crime Control Department. According to police, he was killed by “by his accomplices’ firing” after allegedly escaping custody.
Investigation Into Sheikhupura Incident Continues
Authorities are now investigating the Sheikhupura case through forensic evidence, witness accounts and the medical report.
The arrest has moved the case into the investigation stage. However, the allegations against the suspect still require determination through the legal process.
Police are expected to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident as the investigation progresses.
For the family, the case began with the disappearance of an 11-year-old girl. It has since resulted in an arrest and a formal investigation into the allegations.
