Woman ‘threatened for pursuing daughter’s honour killing case’

Soorat bibi says that Bhooral Abbasi has been threatening her after police arrested Shakoor Abbasi. DESIGN: FAIZAN DAWOOD

Soorat Bibi, a resident of Chak 239-P, said her 12-year-old daughter, Saima Abbasi, had been declared karokari two months ago after she declined a marriage proposal. She said Saima was later murdered by her uncle, Shakoor Abbasi, and grandfather, Bhooral Abbasi.

She said they had asked her and her children to leave their house and forcefully seized of her cattle.

She said Bhooral Abbasi had been threatening her after police arrested Shakoor Abbasi.

“Saima was drinking water when her three uncles, Ghafoor, Noor and Shakoor Abbasi, and her grandfather Bhooral grabbed her hair and started beating her. They then shot her.

She died in front of my eyes.” She said her husband, Yaqoob Abbasi, was supporting his brothers.

Nanthar police station Station House Officer Aslam Khan said the case had been registered two months ago against the girl’s three uncles and grandfather.

He said Shakoor Abbasi had been arrested. “The other accused are nowhere to be found,” he said. He said Soorat Bibi had not reported that she was being threatened.

Rahim Yar Khan DPO Sohail Zafar Chatta said they had not received such a complaint. The incident was in his notice, he said, adding he would provide Soorat Bibi protection if she asks for it.

Asked why she hasn’t registered a complaint with the police, Soorat Bibi said she was in hiding due to the threats. “I am looking for a safe passage to go to police,” she said.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 6^th, 2012.