YET again as a nation we have failed to protect a child from assault, abuse and murder. The governments provincial and federal continue to slumber while the people are enraged and demanding action.

This is not the first case of a minor child being abducted, assaulted and then brutally murdered. Little Zainab, a seven-year old angel, is the ninth such victim. Before her, Eman, Fatima, Fauzia, Noor Fatima, Sanna, Asma and Laiba were kidnapped and murdered in Kasur in 2017.

The Punjab government has failed to protect the lives of the most innocent and defenceless members of Pakistani society.

This evil can be tolerated no more. Every citizen is enraged and demands with one voice that the culprit or culprits be punished now.

Thisis an appealto the people to protect our children.

Shahergar Hassan Islamabad (2) I AM heartbroken by the brutal murder of seven-year old Zainab that has put our whole nation in a state of shock. The perpetrators must be brought to justice.

With this heinous act in mind one can`t ignore the Pakistan Association of Mental Health report that says more than 34 per cent Pakistanis are having some sort of mental disorder.

Such ferocious crimes are beyond the imagination of a mentally stable person.

Physical punishment cannot stop such ugly episodes from occurring in the future. The state must form policy to curb the roots of such inhuman crimes by treating mental illness of the nation.

Ghulam Murtaza Dahar Larkana (3) THIS is not the first time that an innocent soul has been subjected to brutality in Kasur. Many such cases have been reported in recent years but the authorities have done nothing.

The government has to change its attitude and priorities. Mere condemnation of such crimes is not enough. Serious action and the requisite political will are needed to stop this brutality once and for all.

Siffat Elahi Kasur (4) I FEEL ashamed of being called a human being after hearing the little angel Zianab`s tragedy in Kasur. Where are wehumans going? Thisisnot the nrstcaseinPakistan.

According to one think tank 4,139 children were sexually abused in 2016, the year for which full statistics are available. Of them, 97 per cent were abused more than once.

Worse still, 47pc of child sexual abusers were relatives.

The government, human rights organisations, NOGs and civil society have not performed the role expected of them.

The authorities should ensure punishment for the culprits and take effective steps to preventsuchtragediesinfuture.

Aamir Ali Lahore