Child rapist gets death sentence in Pakistan

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan

A Pakistani court on Saturday handed four death sentences and life imprisonment to a man for raping and killing a minor girl in southeastern Punjab province.

Imran Ali, had raped a seven-year-old girl in Peerowala area of Kasur city and dumped her body in a garbage heap in early January.

Her death stirred a social media campaign and countrywide protests prompting the state to take swift action.

The verdict also announced a one-million-rupee fine ($10,000) for the accused, Ehtasham Qadir, prosecutor general Punjab, told reporters.

The charges include kidnapping, rape, murder and terrorism.

The accused had confessed to his crime during investigation and before the court, Qadir said, adding that the accused has 15 days to challenge the verdict in the high court.

According to a police report, the accused was a serial killer involved in nine other similar crimes.

The girl's family registered a complaint with the local police after she went missing on Jan. 4.

In 2015, Kasur made headlines after a gang of pedophiles was busted who had abducted and sexually abused at least 280 children.

Many of the victims who spoke to the media on condition of anonymity were adult men -- who had kept the abuse hidden for several years.