Karachi court hands cleric double 15-year sentences in madressah abuse cases

KARACHI: A Karachi sessions court on Wednesday sentenced cleric Qari Muhammad Anwar to two separate 15-year prison terms after finding him guilty of sexually abusing two students at a madressah in the city’s Landhi area.

According to prosecutors, the victims — aged 13 and 17 — told the court that the cleric repeatedly assaulted them inside a room at the seminary and threatened them with harm if they disclosed the abuse to anyone.

During the trial, the accused denied the allegations and claimed he had been falsely implicated at the behest of an NGO. However, the court rejected the defence, observing that the arguments “did not appeal to a prudent mind” and questioning why families would expose their children to lifelong stigma over fabricated claims.

The court also imposed a fine of Rs1 million in each case and directed that half of the amount be paid to the victims or their families as compensation. The sentences will run concurrently.