Seven-year-old Mohammed Sarim went missing on January 7, 2025, after leaving for a madrassa located within his apartment complex in Karachi. Despite extensive search efforts, he was found dead 11 days later in the underground water tank of the same building.

Initially, investigators considered the possibility of an accident, suggesting that the child may have fallen into the tank due to an uncovered opening.

However, the post-mortem report later confirmed that Sarim had been sexually assaulted before being murdered. The autopsy, conducted revealed that Sarim had suffered 12 different injuries, with one occurring post-mortem. The report also determined that he had died approximately four to five days before the examination, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the search efforts, as it indicated he had been alive for nearly a week after being kidnapped.

 

In response to these revelations, Karachi police have intensified their investigation. A teacher from the madrassa where Sarim studied has been taken into custody, with DNA samples being collected to match against evidence found on the victim. The authorities are also interrogating multiple suspects and conducting forensic analyses to identify those responsible.

This heartbreaking tragedy serves as a painful reminder that no child should ever face such cruelty. Sarim’s innocent life was stolen in the most horrifying way, exposing the urgent need for stronger protections for our children. Every child deserves to feel safe—in their homes, schools, and communities. It is not just the duty of law enforcement but of society as a whole to ensure that no child is left vulnerable to such brutality. Justice for Sarim must not only mean punishing the guilty but also committing to a future where no child suffers the same fate.