Investigations are underway into the alleged rape of a three-year-old Christian girl attending school in Pakistan.
In a video posted to Facebook Punjab Minister for Human Rights Mr. Ijaz Alam Augustin confirmed the alleged rape 'of a child of 3 years at a UNICEF funded school.'
He added attempts were being made by some of the compatriots of the man accused of the crime to lay blasphemy charges on the family of the girl in a bid to thwart justice.
The girl's mother spoke to the British Asian Christian Association: "There is not a single Christian school in the area so we are limited with options.
"I have always longed for her to get education so that she could escape the poverty we as a family face. She could not start a Government School until she reached the age of 4 years.
"I wanted her to get a head start with education at this free school and was hoping to move her to a proper school from next year."
An offer of free education, school equipment and uniforms was brought to the family of the girl's attention by other housewives.
The school has been operating in a domestic property and has around 30 regular students. The school also operates as a madrasser (school of Islam).
After the three-year-old complained of persistent stomach ache and blood was found on her trousers she was taken to hospital where she underwent a medical assessment. Doctors confirmed that she had been raped.
When asked by her family what had happened at school she told them that she had been beaten. Her cousin added that a man referred to as "uncle" had sent the rest of the children to an upper floor and kept the girl with him on the ground floor.
A man closely connected with the school has been arrested.
Juliet Chowdhry, Trustee for the British Asian Christian Association (BACA) said: "Christian girls are seen as easy targets for paedophiles and rapists as they come from deprived, disempowered families and can quickly be accused of blasphemy to thwart justice."
The BACA's has begun counselling sessions for the family and have agreed to pay for their travel to and from court and have offered to provide a solicitor to help them with their impending legal battle.