Swat, Pakistan — July 22, 2025:
In a deeply disturbing incident, a young student named Farhan was allegedly beaten to death by his seminary (madressah) teachers in Chaliyar village, located in the Swat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, police confirmed on Tuesday.
The tragic event unfolded on Monday evening and has since sparked outrage among local communities and human rights advocates, raising urgent questions about the unchecked abuse in some religious schools across the country.
Brutal Beating Leads to Student’s Death
According to Swat District Police Spokesperson Moin Fayaz, Farhan had recently returned to the seminary after missing several classes. Eyewitnesses, including fellow students, reported that three teachers physically assaulted him in front of other pupils.
One classmate, who spoke anonymously, described the horrifying scene:
“They started hitting him right away. Then they dragged him into a side room. I was called to bring water. He barely drank before placing his head in my lap — and then he just went silent.”
Farhan was rushed to a nearby hospital by both teachers and students. Tragically, doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Police File Murder Charges
An FIR (First Information Report) has been registered against all three suspects under the following laws:
- Section 302 – Premeditated Murder (Pakistan Penal Code)
- Section 34 – Common Intention
- Section 37 – Violence under the Child Protection Act
Police confirmed that one suspect is in custody, while a manhunt is underway to apprehend the remaining two.
“This is a heart-wrenching case. We are fully committed to ensuring justice is served,” said police spokesperson Fayaz.
Family Left Devastated, Misled by Seminary Staff
Farhan’s uncle, Saddar Ayaz, told reporters that the boy was terrified of returning to the seminary.
“He didn’t want to go back, but I still dropped him off myself,” Ayaz said. “Later that night, I received a call saying he fell in the toilet and died. That was a lie.”
Public Outcry and Demand for Accountability
The case has triggered widespread condemnation from civil society groups and residents.
“Farhan could’ve been any of our children,” said Haider Ali, a local elder. “He went to study. He never came back.”
Human rights organizations are now demanding stricter enforcement of child protection laws and transparent prosecution of those responsible.
Read more: Gilgit-Baltistan Floods: Over 200 Tourists Rescued, Government Issues Landslide Alert
Corporal Punishment: A Persisting Problem
Despite existing laws, corporal punishment remains a grim reality in many schools and seminaries across Pakistan. Under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Child Protection and Welfare Act 2010, such acts are criminal offenses. Offenders can face:
- Up to six months imprisonment
- A fine of Rs 50,000, or
- Both penalties
The law was further reinforced by a May 2025 notification from the KP Private Schools Regulatory Authority, which strictly prohibited corporal punishment across private institutions. Still, violations remain frequent.
A recent report by the KP Child Protection and Welfare Commission identified 33 types of child abuse across the province, with 14 cases involving corporal punishment.
Earlier this year, in a separate incident, a seminary teacher in Kasur was arrested for burning a student with a hot iron for not memorizing his lesson.
