Around 600 DNA samples collected in Zainab murder case probe

• Law Minister Rana Sanaullah says police close to arresting rapist-cum-murderer

With the authorities on Friday continuing to collect and examine DNA samples in a bid to identify the murderer of seven-year-old Zainab in Kasur, a total of at least 600 DNA samples have been collected within ten days.

A committee formed by the Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif had earlier recommended the authorities to collect the DNA samples of men living within two kilometres of the area where the minor was sexually assaulted, murdered and her body was left in a pile of garbage.

According to sources, a forensic science agency has completed reports of around 450 DNA samples, however, none of the collected DNAs yet have matched that of the criminal.

While the reports of another 150 samples are yet to be finalised by the forensics, sources have also said that the authorities have made some 80 individuals undergo the test for resembling the sketch of the offender along with the criminals who have completed their sentences in rape cases.

Meanwhile, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah claimed on Friday the police were close to arresting the rapist-cum-murderer.
“With the help of five CCTV footages obtained by investigators, they have marked the area where the accused had gone after abducting Zainab Ansari,” Sanaullah told a private news channel.
“Now the police will launch a search operation and conduct DNA tests of the suspects to catch this beast. He may be apprehended in a couple of days, not in weeks or months,” Sanaullah said.
“I am sure that police have correctly marked the area where the suspect could be hiding,” he added.
Zainab, who was the 12th minor victim of rape and murder in Kasur since 2015, went missing on January 4 while heading towards a relative’s home. Her bruised body was found a few days later in a garbage dump in the city.

The news shocked the entire country with #JusticeforZainab becoming the rallying cry while violent protests broke out in Kasur.

At least four agencies — the Counter Terrorism Department, the Intelligence Bureau, the Special Branch and the Punjab Forensic Science Agency — have been seized with the case and each agency has arrested suspects separately while investigating the matter.