Bodies of murdered couple fished out from canal

A police spokesperson said they had married against their parents’ wishes four years ago

FAISALABAD: A woman and her husband were shot dead on Friday.

A police spokesman told newsmen that 30-year-old Muhammad Shakil, a resident of Chak 41-JB, had been a peon at a primary school. His wife, Aqsa, was employed as a health worker at a rural health centre in Chak 78. He said they had married against their parents’ wishes four years ago.

He said fearing reaction from the woman’s family, the couple moved to a house in Chak 71 JB.

Three days ago, the spokesman said, the woman’s brother Muawiya, her mother Majeeda Bibi, a maternal uncle Khalid and one Khawar broke into their house.

He said the men beat the couple and took them away.

The spokesman said Khushi Muhammad, the man’s father, moved a complaint against the suspects.

The spokesman said on Thursday night, Aqsa’s body was found floating in the Gojra-Jang Branch canal by Gojra police. Shakil’s body was discovered from the same canal by Nawan Lahore police.

He said Khushi Muhammad had identified the bodies.

Inspector Muhammad Waris of the Thikriwala police station told newsmen that a case had been registered under Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code against Muawiya, Majeeda Bibi, Khalid and Khawar.

He said Khawar had been arrested and police teams were searching for other suspects.  Gojra police buried the woman’s body because her family did not claim it.

A Gojra police spokesman said the autopsy report had revealed that she was in the final term of pregnancy. He said Muawiya had been working in Saudi Arabia and had returned to Pakistan five days ago.  Neighbours of the couple said they were friendly people and mostly kept to themselves.

Akram, a resident of Chak 71 JB, said, “We used to say they were very lucky to have found peace and safety in their new home.”

Published in The Express Tribune, June 19^th, 2016.