On June 22, 2026, a tragic incident shook the city of Sargodha and left the entire nation grieving. A seven year old girl named Mantiha, a second, grade student, went missing after visiting a local grocery store and was later found dead under horrifying circumstances.
According to reports, Mantha left her home around 10:00 AM to purchase an item from Hanif Karyana Store. However, she never returned home. As hours passed, her parents became increasingly worried and began searching for her. Announcements were made through local mosques, relatives joined the search efforts, and the entire community became involved in trying to locate the missing child.
Investigators later reviewed CCTV footage from the area. The footage allegedly showed the young girl entering Hanif Karyana Store, but there was no evidence of her leaving the premises. This discovery prompted police and local residents to search the building thoroughly.
During the search, attention turned to the upper floors of the store. According to initial reports, when people reached the third floor, a suspect identified as Arsalan was allegedly seen closing his room. Upon noticing the search party, he reportedly fled the scene. Tragically, Mantha’s body was discovered on the third floor in an area normally used by employees and workers.
The police were immediately informed through the emergency helpline. Law enforcement officers arrived at the scene, secured evidence, and registered a criminal case. In addition to Arsalan, the store owner Hanif and another individual were also named in the investigation.
The Crime Control Department (CCD) launched an intensive operation and quickly arrested Arsalan. He was placed on physical remand for further investigation. However, during the remand period, reports emerged that Arsalan was killed in a police encounter. News of the encounter spread rapidly across social media and news platforms, triggering widespread public debate.
While there is near-universal agreement that anyone responsible for crimes against children deserves the harshest punishment under the law, the case also sparked discussions about gender and crime. Some social media users argued that such incidents always involve male perpetrators and female victims. Others responded that criminal behavior should not be viewed exclusively through a gender-based lens.
Supporters of this viewpoint pointed out that history contains numerous cases in which both men and women have been involved in crimes of sexual abuse. They argued that society often overlooks cases involving male victims, particularly young boys, because such incidents are underreported due to social stigma and cultural pressures. The primary focus, they contend, should be protecting all children regardless of gender.
Another major debate centered on the effectiveness of police encounters as a tool for delivering justice. Critics questioned whether killing suspects in encounters truly deters crime. They pointed to crime statistics showing that serious offenses, including rape and murder, continue to occur despite numerous police operations against alleged offenders.
Many legal experts argue that lasting justice comes through a transparent judicial process rather than extrajudicial actions. They maintain that suspects should be tried in court, evidence should be examined, and punishment should be imposed according to the law after guilt is proven beyond doubt.
The murder of Mantha has once again highlighted the urgent need for stronger child protection measures, effective law enforcement, and a justice system capable of delivering both accountability and public confidence. The tragedy has left a family devastated and a nation mourning the loss of an innocent child whose life ended far too soon.
As the investigation continues and legal proceedings unfold, the case serves as a painful reminder of society’s collective responsibility to protect children and ensure that justice is carried out fairly, transparently, and effectively.