BAHAWALNAGAR:
A 12-year-old student who was allegedly severely physically assaulted at a religious seminary in Lahore has died after fighting for his life for eight days, prompting his family to demand strict action against the seminary teacher they hold responsible.
The deceased, identified as Ali Haider, was a resident of Kot Lingah in Bahawalnagar district and had been studying at a religious seminary on Burq Road in Lahore for the past five months to memorize the Holy Quran.
According to the family, Ali Haider was allegedly beaten by his teacher, Qari Ghulam Rasool, several days ago, leaving him critically injured. They alleged that instead of arranging immediate medical treatment, the seminary administration sent the child back to Bahawalnagar in a passenger bus. His father was only informed that the boy was being sent home, without being told about the seriousness of his condition.
When Ali Haider returned home, his family said he was in severe pain and bore visible marks of violence on his body. He was immediately shifted to District Headquarters Hospital in Bahawalnagar where doctors admitted him in critical condition.
The family claimed that the child had sustained multiple fractures in his arms and legs along with injuries to other parts of his body. Despite remaining under treatment for eight days, he succumbed to his injuries.
Speaking to the media, the boy’s father claimed that his son’s death was the result of brutal torture. He said he had enrolled Ali Haider in the seminary to receive religious instruction and never imagined he would return home in such a state. He also claimed that timely medical treatment could have saved his son’s life.
The grieving father appealed to the Punjab government, the Chief Minister, the Inspector General of Police and other authorities to order an impartial inquiry and ensure that Qari Ghulam Rasool and anyone else found responsible are brought to justice.
The incident has sparked grief and outrage in the area, with local residents, social activists and religious leaders calling for strict oversight of religious seminaries and stronger protections against corporal punishment in educational institutions.
At the time of filing this report, the police had not released any official details regarding the registration of a case, arrests or the progress of the investigation.
The seminar administration and the accused teacher had also not made any statement.
