An eight-year-old girl was allegedly raped in a village in Shikarpur district on Saturday night following which raids were conducted by police and a suspect was also arrested from the area, police officials told Dawn.

SHO Ameer Ali Pathan said a man, who lived in the same village as the eight-year-old, reportedly offered the girl something to eat and took her to a deserted place, following which he allegedly raped her.

The girl's mother rushed her to Shikarpur Civil Hospital in "critical condition", the SHO said.

An initial medical examination confirmed that the minor was subjected to a brutal sexual assault, Pathan added.

A First Information Report was registered, following which the police conducted raids in the area and arrested a suspect possessing a TT pistol.

Shikarpur Child Protection Unit's Waheed Ahmed Agha said the department would extend legal help needed by the parents of the victim.