ISLAMABAD: Abid Malhi, the main suspect in last month’s motorway gang-rape, was arrested by police on Monday, a spokesman for the government said, ending a month-long manhunt in a case that has shocked Pakistan.
Abid Malhi, prime suspect of motorway gang rape case. (FILE)
Last month, a woman was gang-raped alongside a major highway, in front of her children in a case that sparked nationwide protests and calls for the accountability. On September 14, six days after the rape, the Counter Terrorism Department arrested Shafqat Ali from a house in Okara city in Pakistan’s Punjab province. His DNA samples matched the samples found on the rape survivor’s clothes.
A second set of DNA evidence pointed at Malhi, who police have been hunting ever since, as rights activists and citizens have demanded that the Pakistani government do more to stem violence against women, including ensuring perpetrators are held accountable in a country that has seen at least 3,500 rapes this year, according to the group War Against Rape.
“Abid Malhi has been arrested,” a communications adviser to the Pakistani prime minister said in a tweet. “Inshallah [God willing], he will be punished according to the law.”
عابد ملہی گرفتار ہو گیا ہے۔ انشااللہ قانون کے مطابق سزا ملے گی۔
— Dr. Shahbaz GiLL (@SHABAZGIL) October 12, 2020
The Pakistani president tweeted:
“Arrest of the 2nd motorway accused rapist is a matter of national relief. An efficient trial of the accused and the ‘severest exemplary’ punishment possible under the law must be given to all those found guilty. Let everyone feel safe in Pakistan, specially our women & children.”
Arrest of the 2nd motorway accused rapist is a matter of national relief. An efficient trial of the accused and the 'severest exemplary' punishment possible under the law must be given to all those found guilty. Let everyone feel safe in Pakistan, specially our women & children.
— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) October 12, 2020
