Karachi man gets life in prison for raping four-year-old girl

Judge said, 'the protection of children from sexual predators represents one of the most important responsibilities of the criminal justice system, and this case clearly warrants conviction and exemplary punishment'

Web Desk

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17 Sep 2025

A sessions court in Karachi has handed down life imprisonment to a man for sexually assaulting a four-year-old girl in Malir.

The convict, identified as Muhammad Sarfaraz alias Nikka, was found guilty of committing the offence at his residence in Scheme 33 on May 24, 2022.

Additional Sessions Judge (Malir) Syed Ghous Ali Shah Jilani observed that eyewitness accounts, DNA results, medical opinion and other physical evidence had created an “overwhelming case against the accused that cannot be rebutted by mere procedural criticisms or investigative inefficiencies.”

“Considering the heinous nature of the offense, the vulnerability of the victim and the conclusive nature of the evidence,” the judge sentenced Sarfaraz to life imprisonment along with a fine of Rs100,000. In case of non-payment, he will serve an additional six months in prison.

The court, however, noted that as the accused was young and a first-time offender, “these mitigating circumstances warrant lesser punishment instead of death.”

Judge Jilani remarked that no crime should remain unchecked and no offender unpunished when guilt has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt. “The protection of children from sexual predators represents one of the most important responsibilities of the criminal justice system, and this case clearly warrants conviction and exemplary punishment,” he said.

The judgment underscored that DNA analysis provided the most conclusive evidence of the accused’s involvement. It pointed out that the Supreme Court of Pakistan had recognised modern DNA testing as a form of scientific certainty far stronger than traditional evidence.

According to the prosecution, the child had been seen leaving the accused’s house in tears and later revealed that she was tied to a cot and silenced before being assaulted.

In his statement under Section 342 of the CrPC, Sarfaraz denied the allegations and pleaded innocence.