PESHAWAR: An imam of a local masjid in the provincial capital Peshawar has been arrested on allegations of sexually abusing two children.
A written complaint was submitted to Badaber Police Station by Qadar Khan, resident of the Tela Band Peshawar, saying Qari Akhtar Zaman, son of Akhtar Jan, sexually assaulted his two minor children between the ages of eight and 10 multiple times.
The case was reported to the police on March 10.
The complaint stated that Qari Akhtar Zaman had been leading prayers at Dilawar Khan Mosque for the past two years. Maryam (aged 8-9) and Aam Sikandar Khan (aged 10-11) attending Quran lessons in the masjid.
According to the complaint, the children revealed that they had been sexually assaulted multiple times by the imam. The FIR quoting children saying the imam stopped both of them after other students had left the mosque and sexually abused them multiple times. The incidents allegedly took place 4-5 days before Ramadan. The Imam’s fear and threats prevented the victims from speaking earlier.
Upon learning of the abuse, the families brought the children to the police station. A case was registered under sections 511, 376, 377, 43, and 53 of the Child Protection and Welfare Act 2010.
After registering the FIR, police formed an investigation team and arrested the accused. The victims were sent for medical examination under police supervision.
