Sindh minister terms viral photo of Afghan children as Fake

KARACHI: Sindh Minister Sharjeel Memon has termed a picture of Afghan children, seen behind bars somewhere in Karachi, as Fake.

Addressing media, he responded to criticism of a photograph of minors behind bars that went viral on social media recently, saying 129 Afghan female illegal immigrants were jailed in the province — with 178 children — but insisted the minors were not under arrest.

The media talk comes after a picture of jailed children, smiling behind bars went viral over social media yesterday, triggering fury from activists and politicians.

یہ کراچی سٹی کورٹ کا لاک اپ ہے اور میں نے خود یہ تصویر کھینچی ہے۔ آپ آجائیں آپ کو بھی وزٹ کرادیتے ہیں https://t.co/piPA55NA2s

— samar abbas (@samarfactor) December 29, 2022

However, the lawyer who took the photo and posted on social media insisted that the photo was real, and that it was taken in a Karachi city court lockup. He said he stands by his Tweet.

Instead of addressing the issue @SindhCMHouse is denying the fact.. I and @Moni_Kakar are the defense council of them. The picture was taken in the city court's Bakshi Khana where they were bought from khi central jail for a case hearing. https://t.co/Y3MxfGhnK1

— samar abbas (@samarfactor) December 29, 2022

Sharjeel Memon said that the 178 children “staying with their mothers in the jails are not under arrest”.

“The law states that if any child is under the age of seven years, they may be allowed to stay with their mother in jail,” he said. “Where will the children go when their father is also in jail?”