Prayer Leader Booked for Allegedly Sexually Assaulting 12-Year-Old Boy in Charsadda Mosque
Charsadda, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – June 3, 2025 — A disturbing incident has come to light in Charsadda district, where a prayer leader has been booked for allegedly sexually assaulting a 12-year-old boy within the premises of a mosque. The case has sparked outrage and renewed calls for stringent measures to protect children from abuse in religious institutions.
According to the First Information Report (FIR) registered at the Nasta police station, the victim reported that he was assaulted by his teacher six days prior but refrained from informing anyone due to fear. Summoning courage, he disclosed the ordeal to his father, leading to the filing of the complaint. The FIR states, “I want justice for myself and demand police action against the suspect, who used to molest students in the mosque.”
The Charsadda police have lodged the FIR under sections 377 B and 53 of the Child Protection Act. District Police Officer (DPO) Suleman Zafar confirmed the incident and assured prompt action. He stated, “I have taken notice of the incident and have instructed the respective area sub-divisional police officer to take prompt action.” The suspect, a resident of Mohmand district, is currently at large but efforts are underway to apprehend him.
This case is not isolated. In March 2025, a cleric in Peshawar’s Telaband area was arrested for allegedly assaulting two minors in a seminary. The father of one victim reported that his daughter and nephew were repeatedly assaulted by the prayer leader. An FIR was registered under sections 376, 377, and 511 of the Pakistan Penal Code, along with sections 43 and 53 of the Child Protection and Welfare Act, 2010.
These incidents highlight a troubling pattern of abuse within religious institutions. Experts point to a combination of factors, including the unchecked authority of clerics, lack of accountability, and societal pressures that discourage victims from speaking out. A report by DW notes that clerics often exploit their positions of power, and victims fear disbelief or retribution.
The prevalence of such cases underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms. According to a report by the NGO Sahil, an average of 12 children per day were subjected to sexual abuse in Pakistan in 2023. The report emphasizes the necessity for effective law enforcement, public awareness campaigns, and robust child protection services to address this crisis.
#JusticeForVictims #ChildProtection #EndChildAbuse #CharsaddaIncident #AccountabilityNow
