I was on my bike en route to the duty station, in quite a hurry. My colleague was pacing himself at a reasonable speed to reach on time. It was early morning, and indeed a rush hour, as children were arriving at schools—typical of a Pakistani morning chore. They were running to avoid being late, barely escaping tardiness without indulging in the usual petty routine of greetings or chit-chat with acquaintances.
A year ago, I observed a man who appeared to be in his mid-forties, evident from his greying hair, driving at an unusually slow pace of 20 km/h. My curiosity piqued; I wondered what his intentions were. Days later, I discovered he was a stalker with paedophilic inclinations. The claim may sound outrageous, but my suspicions were confirmed as I noticed him slowing down as he passed by teenage female students, his gaze betraying his intentions.
This unsettling routine continued for some time until one day he vanished. Later, I learned that he had married—good riddance! However, this was not the end of my observations. Shortly thereafter, I encountered a new face following the same route. This individual, a juvenile predator, decelerated at the same points and gazed through the tinted windows of his car. He presented himself as a member of a respectable family, oblivious to his criminal activities. In both cases, the speed of the vehicle and unnecessary presence of criminals at early hours of the day when children are speeding to school are considered as indicators of criminal intentions.
In Pakistan, such behaviours are often dismissed as mere harassment or stalking, leading to inadequate legal repercussions. The societal norms surrounding morality and justice have long been eroded, allowing predators to escape accountability due to their family names or social status. How do we address this pervasive illness?
First and foremost, parents should consider arranging rented transport for their children. Many families find themselves too busy with work commitments to ensure their children’s safety during commutes. This lack of supervision leaves children vulnerable to predators who exploit their naivety.
Recent reports highlight the alarming rise of child abuse cases in Pakistan. For instance, in Mandi Bahauddin, police arrested two individuals involved in a suspected pedophile ring that had been preying on minors. The victims ranged from ages 8 to 13 and were lured under various pretexts before being assaulted and filmed for blackmail purposes. Such incidents reflect a broader trend; statistics show that 2,227 children were physically and sexually assaulted in the first half of 2023 alone.
Moreover, societal attitudes contribute significantly to this crisis. Many victims remain silent due to the stigma associated with sexual abuse, fearing social ostracism rather than seeking justice. The lack of an effective legal framework further exacerbates the issue; reports indicate that only 5% of accused offenders are convicted due to poor investigations and systemic failures within the judicial process.
To combat this epidemic effectively, we must focus on several key areas:
Raising awareness about child safety among parents and children is crucial. Educational programs can empower children to recognize inappropriate behaviour and encourage them to speak out. Strengthening laws related to child protection is imperative. Implementing a national database for sex offenders could help prevent further abuse by restricting access to vulnerable populations.
Engaging community members in monitoring suspicious activities can create safer environments for children. Neighborhood watch programs and community education initiatives can foster collective responsibility. Establishing robust support systems for victims is essential. Counselling services and legal aid can help survivors navigate their trauma and seek justice without fear. addressing the issues of child abuse and predatory behaviour requires a multifaceted approach that combines preventive measures with societal change. Only through collective action can we hope to restore a sense of security for our children and foster an environment where morality prevails over criminality in Pakistan. Finally, sit tight and contemplate for a while. In accordance norms and taboos of the Pashtun culture, illegitimate courtships are criminal offence but paedophilia even after pinpointing are at large remained ignored which is alarming and consequences will be devastating.
