15-year-old orphan allegedly run over by employer in Multan

A 15-year-old orphan was allegedly run over and killed by his employer after trying to escape workplace abuse in Multan. Police have arrested the main suspect, while a court has granted him four days of physical remand for investigation.

The victim, Waseem Abbas, had been living at an orphanage for five years. He was sent to contractor Tauqeer Nazir six days before the incident to learn electrical work, according to Shoaib Haider, the orphanage’s general secretary.

The incident occurred in a private housing society within the jurisdiction of the DHA police station. Rescue officials said Waseem sustained a severe head injury and died at the scene. His body was subsequently shifted to Nishtar Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

Police registered a murder case against Tauqeer Nazir and Amjad Ali under Sections 302 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which deal with murder and acts committed with a common intention.

According to the first information report (FIR), the suspects allegedly chased Waseem in a car after he fled, fearing violence and threats. The report claimed that the vehicle struck him deliberately, causing fatal head injuries when he hit a pillar near a house.

The FIR stated that Sub-Inspector Liaquat Ali Bhatti and other police personnel were patrolling the area when a man identified as Mukhtiar Ahmed approached them at around 4:35pm. He informed them that Waseem, his cousin, had been working for the suspects and had allegedly faced abuse and threats.

Two residents, Saqlain Raza and Syed Naseem Abbas, were named as witnesses. According to the FIR, they told police that Waseem had warned them that the suspects wanted to kill him and that he was running to save his life.

Police said Tauqeer was apprehended at the scene, while Amjad escaped. The vehicle allegedly involved in the incident was taken into custody as evidence.

When Tauqeer appeared before Judicial Magistrate Saadia Aslam on Tuesday, lawyers reportedly assaulted him outside the courtroom despite the presence of police. The court subsequently granted him four days of physical remand.

Haider said Tauqeer had claimed that his car slipped while he was following Waseem, but the available video footage appeared inconsistent with that explanation. He added that the contractor had a team of around 40 to 45 boys and that the orphanage had made inquiries before sending Waseem to work with him.

The orphanage had received no previous complaints against the contractor, Haider said. Another boy from the facility had also been working for Tauqeer, but officials brought him back following the incident.

Waseem’s cousin Nadeem said the teenager had often expressed reluctance to go to the contractor to learn electrical work and had wanted to return home. He added that Waseem had not returned to the orphanage since leaving for the job.

Waseem’s uncle, Jafar Hussain, said the boy’s father had died nine years ago. After receiving support from his maternal grandfather and uncle, Waseem was eventually admitted to the orphanage.

Accusing the suspect of deliberately killing his nephew, Hussain demanded justice. Waseem’s maternal grandfather also called for the suspect to be punished, saying he had sent the boy to the orphanage in the hope that he would receive an education and build a better future.

Waseem’s funeral prayers were held in Mouza Daulatpur at around 2am, and he was buried in his ancestral graveyard. Only close relatives and orphanage officials attended the funeral.

Residents said Waseem and his brother had been admitted to the orphanage after their mother remarried following their father’s death.