Report by CBN247 :
Mardan, Pakistan — A madrassa cleric has been arrested for allegedly torturing a student, leaving visible injuries on the child’s body, according to police reports.
The arrest took place during a swift operation led by the Jabbar Police Station, under the directives of District Police Officer Zahoor Babar Afridi. The operation was carried out under the supervision of DSP Katlang Izhar Shah and SHO Noor Muhammad Khan. The accused, identified as Qari Zaib-ur-Rehman, son of Aziz-ur-Rehman and a resident of Barang, Bajaur, was taken into custody from Madrassa Anzar Kali, where the incident occurred.
A case has been registered against the cleric under relevant legal provisions, and authorities have launched a detailed investigation to ensure justice. “Violence against children is an intolerable crime,” said DPO Zahoor Babar Afridi. “Anyone found guilty will face strict legal consequences.”
The incident adds to a growing concern over child abuse in religious and educational institutions across Pakistan. According to Sahil, a child protection NGO, 4,253 cases of child abuse were reported in the country in 2023, including physical, sexual, and psychological abuse.
A 2021 UNICEF study further revealed that nearly 80% of Pakistani children have experienced some form of violence, often at the hands of caregivers or authority figures. Despite bans in several provinces, corporal punishment remains widespread in schools and madrassas, with teachers and religious instructors frequently implicated.
Child rights activists continue to call for stricter enforcement of child protection laws and improved oversight of educational institutions to prevent such incidents in the future.
