During the hearing, the court barred Muhammad Amin ─ the father of six-year-old Zainab ─ and his lawyer from holding further press conferences.
Zainab’s parents had arrived at the SC shortly before the bench began the hearing.
Welling-up, Amin told the court that the suspect should be severely punished so that no such crime is committed ever again. The chief justice asked him to have a seat before turning to Dr Muhammad Ashraf Tahir, director general of the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA), and ordering the use of modern technology and devices to quickly compelete investigations.
“You are a capable person and I am depending on you quite a lot,” the chief justice told the Tahir. Chief Justice Nisar added that his personal number will be provided to the DG so that the latter may contact him in case of any problems with the probe.
“If there is any problem, please inform me, as well,” Zainab’s father said.
Punjab Inspector General of Police Arif Nawaz Khan, head of the joint investigation team probing Zainab’s murder, Additional IG Abu Bakar Khuda Bakhsh, and chief secretary of Punjab, Khizer Hayat, were also present in the court for today’s hearing.
The court, on Saturday, also summoned 12 media executives and anchors to appear for today’s hearing. Although the court notice does not say why they were called in, legal observers believe that the invitation has something to do with the claims made recently by Masood.
Shortly after Zainab’s autopsy confirmed that she had been strangled to death, Chief Justice Saqib Nisar had taken suo motu notice of the incident that had sent shock waves throughout the nation.
The Punjab government, in a press conference on Tuesday, had announced catching the alleged rapist and murderer. The suspect, based in Kasur, is accused of being a serial rapist and killer who has been linked to the assault and murder of more than at least six young girls.
