Police on Wednesday registered a case against an orphanage administrator for sending an orphaned teenager to work without authorization in Punjab's Multan. The development came after Waseem Abbas, a 15-year-old orphan, was allegedly chased and run over by a car in Multan's Royal Orchard housing society.
Police later arrested prime suspect Tauqeer Nazir, who was remanded into police custody for four days by a judicial magistrate in Multan for questioning in connection with the teenager's murder. However, the prime suspect was killed in a purported encounter with Punjab's Crime Control Department (CCD) near Bahawalpur on Wednesday.
CCD District Officer Irfan Akbar said a police team attempted to stop two men riding a motorcycle near the Northern Bypass in Bahawalpur. He said the men opened fire on the police while attempting to flee, leading to an exchange of fire in which Tauqeer was killed.
Police had previously stated that Waseem had been living at an NGO-run orphanage before being sent to work with Tauqeer about a week before his death to learn electrical work. The teenager reportedly wanted to leave the job because of alleged mistreatment.
Meanwhile, police said that the case against the orphanage administrator was registered on the complaint of a Labour Department assistant director, who named Shoaib, a member of an NGO's governing body. Police stated the case concerns the transfer of the orphaned child for employment without permission.
In a separate development, another case was registered against Tauqeer under the Child Labour Act, alleging that he had employed an underage child. The incident has sparked widespread outrage in the region, with child rights activists demanding a thorough investigation into the oversight mechanisms of orphanages in Punjab.
Authorities have promised to review the protocols for children placed in vocational training. The Labour Department has initiated a province-wide audit of NGOs to ensure that no other children are being subjected to unauthorized labor practices.
Officials stated that the safety and welfare of orphans remain the top priority of the provincial government. Legal experts noted that the registration of the case against the administrator marks a significant step in holding institutional heads accountable for the safety of children under their care.
The investigation continues as police look for the second suspect who fled the scene during the encounter. As the legal proceedings move forward, the community in Multan remains in shock over the tragic loss of the young boy.
Further updates are expected as the police compile their final report on the circumstances leading to the teenager's death.