The post-mortem report of five-year-old Ayat Noor, who went missing from outside her home in Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has confirmed disturbing details surrounding her alleged sexual assault and death.
According to the report prepared by an eight-member medical board headed by hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Munawar, the child died from severe shock and excessive blood loss during the assault. The report also confirmed that her body was thrown into a well after her death.
Police have arrested three suspects in connection with the case. Two of them have been sent to jail on judicial remand, while the third remains in police custody for further investigation.
Shocking findings in Ayat Noor’s post-mortem
The post-mortem findings have triggered grief and outrage across Haripur. The eight-member medical board’s report provides medical confirmation of the violence suffered by the child and the circumstances surrounding her death.
The report states that Ayat Noor was subjected to sexual assault and died from severe shock and excessive bleeding. It further confirms that she was thrown into the well after she had died.
Child went missing while playing outside home
Ayat Noor had disappeared while playing outside her home in Haripur. Her family continued searching for her and subsequently informed police when she could not be located.
After a 15-day search, her body was recovered from an abandoned well near a warehouse on University Road.
The discovery sparked widespread grief in the area, following which police took the body into custody and sent it for a post-mortem examination.
Three suspects arrested
Police say significant progress has been made in the case following the investigation and collection of evidence.
According to police officials, the suspects allegedly abducted the child and subjected her to sexual assault. After her death, they allegedly dumped her body in the warehouse well in an attempt to conceal the crime.
Two suspects are currently in judicial custody, while the third is being held by police for further investigation.
Peaceful protest held for justice
Women citizens staged a peaceful protest outside the District Courts to demand justice for Ayat Noor and stronger measures to protect children.
Women from across the district participated in the demonstration, along with children. Protesters demanded that those responsible be brought to justice under the law and pledged to continue raising their voices for child protection.
Aram Fatima Turk said such incidents were not new in Pakistan but described the case as particularly alarming for Haripur. She questioned why legal amendments were made for other interests but stronger laws were not introduced to punish perpetrators of crimes against children.
Salma Tanoli said she was protesting peacefully for the protection of children and justice for Ayat Noor. She also raised concerns about the legal process surrounding such cases.
Lawyer Jaffery said members of the legal community were participating in the protest and would make every effort to ensure justice for Ayat Noor. She said loopholes in existing laws sometimes allow accused individuals to secure acquittals.
She also called on the media to continue highlighting the case, warning that without sustained attention, such cases could eventually disappear into official files.
Calls for stronger child protection laws
Protesters demanded that the suspects in the Ayat Noor case be punished according to law and that effective measures be introduced to protect children from abduction, sexual violence and murder.
The case has also renewed calls for stronger legal and judicial mechanisms to ensure swift investigations and accountability in crimes against children.
Also read: Dead body of missing Ayat Noor found in Haripur 15 days