Waseem Abbas: Six Days on the Job, Then Run Over in Multan

Waseem Abbas, a 15-year-old orphanage resident, was allegedly run over and killed by his employer after trying to leave his workplace in a private housing society in Multan. Police arrested contractor Tauqeer Nazir, and a court granted him four days of physical remand on Tuesday.

The incident happened within the jurisdiction of the DHA police station. Rescue officials said Waseem suffered a severe head injury and died at the scene.

What Happened to Waseem Abbas

Waseem had lived at an orphanage for five years. According to Shoaib Haider, the orphanage’s general secretary, he wanted to learn electrical work.

The orphanage sent him to contractor Tauqeer Nazir just six days before his death. Haider said inquiries had been made about the contractor, who ran a team of roughly 40 to 45 boys.

Rescue teams moved Waseem’s body to Nishtar Hospital, Multan, under police supervision. A post-mortem examination was ordered.

What the FIR Alleges

The FIR was registered on Monday at DHA police station. It names Tauqeer Nazir and Amjad Ali as suspects under Sections 302 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), which cover murder and acts done in furtherance of a common intention.

According to the FIR, Sub-Inspector Liaquat Ali Bhatti was on patrol in Royal Orchard when a man named Mukhtiar Ahmed approached police at around 4:35pm. Mukhtiar said his cousin Waseem had been working as an electrician for the suspects, who had allegedly beaten him and threatened to kill him.

Police said they saw Waseem running in fear, followed by a Honda vehicle bearing registration number BVE-474. The FIR alleges the suspects deliberately drove into him. His head struck a pillar at the gate of house 3-A, and he died there.

Two residents, Saqlain Raza and Syed Naseem Abbas, are named as witnesses. They told police Waseem had passed by moments earlier, saying the suspects wanted to kill him and that he was running to save his life.

The vehicle stopped after the incident. Tauqeer was caught at the scene, while Amjad escaped. Police took the car into custody as evidence.

Suspect’s Version and Court Proceedings

According to Haider, Tauqeer claimed he followed Waseem in his car because the boy had grown tired running on foot. The suspect maintained that the car slipped.

Haider said the video footage did not appear to support that explanation. “It looks as though he was hit with the car,” he said.

Tauqeer was presented before Judicial Magistrate Saadia Aslam, who granted four days of physical remand. Outside the courtroom, lawyers assaulted him despite the presence of police.

Family Demands Justice

Waseem’s funeral prayers were held at around 2am in Mouza Daulatpur. He was buried in his ancestral graveyard, with only close relatives and orphanage officials present. The prayers were held promptly because of the condition of the body.

His uncle, Jafar Hussain, said Waseem’s father died nine years ago. Hussain looked after the boy for two to three years before he was admitted to the orphanage by his grandfather and uncle. Residents said Waseem and his brother entered the orphanage after their mother remarried.

“Tauqeer deliberately killed my nephew,” Hussain said, demanding justice. Waseem’s maternal grandfather, who had placed him in the orphanage so he could get an education, also demanded punishment for the suspect.

Waseem’s cousin Nadeem, who has lived at the orphanage for six years, said the boy often said he wanted to go home and did not want to learn the trade. Haider said the orphanage had received no earlier complaints against the contractor. It brought back another boy who had been working for him.

Child Labor in Pakistan and the Orphanage Question

The case has renewed attention on child labor in Pakistan, especially informal apprenticeships where minors work under contractors with little oversight. Learning a trade can be a genuine path out of poverty. Without checks, it can also leave a child dependent on one adult.

Orphanages carry a heavy duty of care. When an orphanage home places a child with an outside employer, the child’s safety depends on how well that person was vetted and how closely the placement is monitored. Here, the orphanage says it made inquiries and had no prior complaints. Investigators will likely examine whether that was enough.

In some places, adults who work with children must obtain formal screening such as a PA child abuse clearance in Pennsylvania. Pakistan has no widely known equivalent that a contractor must pass before taking on a minor trainee. Child protection advocates may point to that gap as the case develops.

The Criminal Justice System in Pakistan: What Comes Next

The criminal justice system in Pakistan begins with an FIR, followed by police investigation, arrest, and physical remand so investigators can question the suspect. Once the challan is submitted, the case moves to trial, where evidence and witnesses are tested.

Both suspects face charges under Section 302 of the PPC. Tauqeer’s claim that the car slipped will be weighed against video footage, witness statements, and forensic findings. Amjad Ali remains wanted.

The Juvenile Justice System Act 2018 is also relevant to the wider debate. It sets special rules for children in conflict with the law, and reflects a principle that minors need extra protection from the system. Waseem was a victim, and both suspects are adults, so the Act does not govern their trial. It does show that Pakistani law already recognizes children as a group requiring care.

Families in cases like this often hire a child abuse lawyer to follow the prosecution and press for a fair investigation. Pakistani courts use the term advocate or lawyer rather than the US term child abuse attorney, but the role is similar: protecting the rights of the victim’s family.

Precautions: What to Do and What Not to Do

Harming or killing a child is a serious crime under Pakistani law. These steps can help prevent such tragedies and support justice when they happen.

If you are a parent, guardian, or orphanage administrator:

• Visit the child’s workplace in person before and after placement, and keep in regular contact.
• Check the employer’s background and speak to other families who have used them.
• Make sure the child knows who to call and has a way to leave safely.
• Do not place a child with an employer who refuses visits or discourages contact.

What to do if you are an employer or contractor:

• Do not hire children for hazardous work or hold them against their will.
• Never use violence or threats to stop a worker from quitting.
• Do not chase or confront someone who wants to leave. Let them go and settle disputes through proper channels.

If you witness violence against a child:

• Call police on 15 immediately and give the location and vehicle details.
• Note registration numbers and, if safe, record video as evidence. Hand it only to police or investigators.
• Provide your statement to police. Eyewitness accounts are central in murder cases.
• Do not intervene physically in a way that puts your own life at risk.

For the public:

• Do not take the law into your own hands. Assaulting a suspect, as happened outside the court in this case, is itself unlawful and can damage the prosecution.
• Do not share graphic images of victims on social media. It harms the family and spreads misinformation.
• Do not speculate about guilt online. Let the courts decide.

If a child is being abused or exploited: Report it to police on 15, or to child protection helplines such as the Punjab Child Protection and Welfare Bureau (1121) or Madadgar (1098). Please verify current numbers before relying on them.

FAQs

Who was Waseem Abbas?
Waseem Abbas was a 15-year-old boy who had lived at an orphanage in Multan for five years. He had been sent to learn electrical work with a contractor six days before his death.

What charges has the suspect in the Waseem Abbas case faced?
The FIR invokes Sections 302 and 34 of the PPC, covering murder and common intention. Tauqeer Nazir and Amjad Ali are named as suspects.

Who is in custody?
Tauqeer Nazir was arrested at the scene and given four days of physical remand by Judicial Magistrate Saadia Aslam. Amjad Ali reportedly escaped.

Is child labor legal in Pakistan?
Pakistan restricts child employment, and rules differ by province and type of work. Hazardous work is generally prohibited for children. Check current provincial law or consult a lawyer for specifics.

How can I report child abuse in Pakistan?
Call police on 15 or a child protection helpline such as 1121 in Punjab or 1098. Keep any evidence, such as videos or messages, and give it only to authorities.

Does the Juvenile Justice System Act 2018 apply here?
Not directly. The Act deals with children accused of crimes, and Waseem was the victim. It does reflect the legal principle that children need special protection.