Accusations that officers refused to investigate the alleged rape and murder of a 10-year-old girl have led to a police chief being suspended in Pakistan.

The child vanished after leaving her home in the neighbourhood of Shahzad Town, in the capital Islamabad last week.

Her body was discovered in a nearby forest on Monday, five days after she disappeared.

The killing sparked huge protests in the city with many, including the girl's family, claiming the police did not act quickly enough.

Originally from the Pashtun minority Mohmand region bordering Afghanistan, her family refused to bury her body until a post-mortem examination was carried out, the Pakistan Today newspaper reported.

Rape and murder of 10-year-old girl sparks protests in Pakistan Show all 5 1 /5 Rape and murder of 10-year-old girl sparks protests in Pakistan Rape and murder of 10-year-old girl sparks protests in Pakistan People rally to protest against the murder and alleged rape of a 10-year-old girl, Farishta, in Islamabad, Pakistan, on 21 May 2019. EPA/ARSHAD ARBAB Rape and murder of 10-year-old girl sparks protests in Pakistan epa07590376 People rally to protest against the murder and alleged rape of a 10-year-old girl, Farishta, in Islamabad, in Peshawar, Pakistan, 21 May 2019. The 10-year old girl went missing on 16 May and her body was found on 20 May. EPA/ARSHAD ARBAB ARSHAD ARBAB EPA/ARSHAD ARBAB Rape and murder of 10-year-old girl sparks protests in Pakistan epa07590374 People rally to protest against the murder and alleged rape of a 10-year-old girl, Farishta, in Islamabad, in Peshawar, Pakistan, 21 May 2019. The 10-year old girl went missing on 16 May and her body was found on 20 May. EPA/ARSHAD ARBAB ARSHAD ARBAB EPA/ARSHAD ARBAB Rape and murder of 10-year-old girl sparks protests in Pakistan Members of a civil society group, Volunteer Force Pakistan, hold a demonstration to condemn the rape and killing of a girl, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Wednesday, May 22, 2019. Authorities in Pakistan suspended a police chief in the capital, Islamabad, over the disappearance, rape and killing of a 10-year-old girl whose case triggered widespread condemnation and outrage, including on social media. Officer Mohammad Imran says the chief, Mohammad Abbas, was suspended on Wednesday for failing to act promptly in the case. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed) Anjum Naveed AP/Anjum Naveed Rape and murder of 10-year-old girl sparks protests in Pakistan epa07590377 People rally to protest against the murder and alleged rape of a 10-year-old girl, Farishta, in Islamabad, in Peshawar, Pakistan, 21 May 2019. The 10-year old girl went missing on 16 May and her body was found on 20 May. EPA/ARSHAD ARBAB ARSHAD ARBAB EPA/ARSHAD ARBAB

Officer Mohammad Imran said police chief Mohammad Abbas was suspended for failing to act promptly in the case and an investigation has been launched.

Two suspects have also been arrested in connection with the investigation into the girl's death.

Crimes against children are common in Pakistan and often go unpunished.

In October, authorities executed a man convicted of killing eight children, including six-year-old Zainab Ansari, whose murder attracted media coverage worldwide.