Thai Prime Minister Anutin Dissolves House, Calls Snap Election

HARIPUR: Police have arrested four suspects in connection with the alleged abduction, sexual assault and murder of a five-year-old girl whose body was recovered from a deserted well in Haripur after an extensive search operation. Haripur District Police Officer Shafiullah Gandapur said the child was reported missing by her father on August 10. Police registered a case under relevant provisions of the Pakistan Penal Code and launched a search operation to trace her. A special investigation team was subsequently formed, comprising senior police officers, investigators and female police officials. A separate technical team was assigned to examine digital evidence, including CCTV footage, call records and geofencing data. Police reviewed footage from around 200 cameras and examined the records of 20 suspected telephone numbers. Investigators said footage from 12 cameras proved particularly significant in reconstructing the child’s movements after she left home and identifying individuals allegedly travelling in the area on foot and on a motorcycle. Three suspects were initially arrested, and police also recovered a motorcycle allegedly used in the incident. According to police, one suspect recorded a statement before a court admitting his involvement in the alleged abduction and sexual assault. The other suspects were produced before the court for further legal proceedings. Police later arrested a fourth suspect. Information obtained during the investigation led officers to a deep, dry and overgrown well located on a vacant plot near Link Road on University Road, close to a warehouse. A search team, assisted by Rescue 1122 personnel, recovered the child’s body from the well. The recovery operation was monitored by the DPO and senior members of the investigation team. The body was shifted to the Rescue 1122 Trauma Centre in Haripur, where a post-mortem examination was conducted. Doctors collected X-rays and samples for DNA and other forensic examinations. The results are awaited. The investigation has faced additional difficulties because some suspects are reportedly underage and did not possess identity documents. Police said they therefore examined telephone records linked to their family members and other numbers considered relevant to the case. The search for the missing child involved hundreds of personnel. More than 400 police officials, along with staff from the Tehsil Municipal Administration and Water and Sanitation Agency, participated in searches covering drains, sewerage lines, vegetation, vacant plots and deserted locations around the University of Haripur, Pathan Colony and nearby areas. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed took notice of the case, while Hazara DIG Nasir Mahmood Satti visited Haripur to review the investigation. The DPO briefed him on the evidence collected, CCTV findings and progress in identifying and arresting the suspects. The DIG also met the victim’s family and assured them that the investigation would be pursued according to law. Meanwhile, K-P Chief Minister Sohail Afridi condemned the alleged crime and ordered a comprehensive investigation. He directed authorities to ensure that every aspect of the case was examined and that those found responsible were dealt with strictly under the law. The chief minister expressed condolences to the child’s family and said crimes against children would not be tolerated. He assured the family that the provincial government would support them and that the suspects would face legal consequences if found guilty.

ISLAMABAD: The Senate witnessed a heated exchange between the opposition and government benches on Tuesday over the medical treatment of PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan. The dispute centred on the implementation of an August 18 Supreme Court order concerning Imran Khan’s treatment. The court had directed authorities to shift him to Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad and form a medical board that would include his sister and personal physician. The government, however, took Imran Khan to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), citing security concerns. He was later returned to Adiala Jail after doctors declared him medically fit. The opposition accused the government of failing to comply with the Supreme Court’s directions. The government rejected the allegation and maintained that the authorities had acted within the framework of the court order. The issue came up after PTI parliamentary leader Barrister Ali Zafar sought permission to move a resolution regarding the Supreme Court’s directions. Presiding Officer Shahadat Awan did not allow the resolution, ruling that the matter was sub judice. Opposition senators were instead allowed to raise the issue through points of order. Zafar argued that Parliament must uphold the Constitution and ensure compliance with decisions of the Supreme Court. He claimed that Imran Khan had neither been shifted to Shifa International Hospital nor examined by the medical board mentioned in the court’s order. He also alleged that the required facilities for examining the PTI founder were not available at PIMS. Zafar said political differences should not affect a person’s access to medical care. He urged the government to separate Imran Khan’s political status from his health and medical needs. PTI Senator Azam Swati also criticised the government, accusing it of adopting different standards in dealing with political figures. He cited previous instances in which government institutions had facilitated political leaders. The government defended its position through Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah. He said the state had complied with the Supreme Court’s directions while taking security considerations into account. Sanaullah said the court had also allowed the administration to assess security arrangements. He maintained that Imran Khan was therefore taken to a government hospital where qualified doctors were available. According to Sanaullah, a panel of doctors examined Imran Khan and found his condition satisfactory. He said the PTI founder was subsequently returned to jail. The adviser said the matter was already before the Supreme Court and a report would be submitted on September 16. He argued that the court itself should determine whether its order had been properly implemented. Opposition Leader in the Senate Allama Raja Nasir Abbas urged the government to demonstrate political maturity and implement the Supreme Court’s order in letter and spirit. He also proposed forming a Senate committee to visit Imran Khan in jail and assess the situation.