Man guns down sister for marrying of her own choice

Police arrest Zulqarnain and register a case against him

A woman was shot dead by her brother in the premises of the Multan High Court for marrying a man of her choice on Tuesday.

Kulsoom had come to the Multan High Court for a hearing with her spouse when her brother, Zulqarnain, opened fire at her. She died on the spot whereas three others, including her husband, Rafaqat Ali, and lawyer, were also injured in the firing.

Girl found dead in well, police suspect brother killed her for 'honour'

They were immediately shifted to the Nishtar Hospital where doctors said her husband’s condition was serious. Police arrested the killer and registered a case against him under sections for murder and attempt to murder.

Earlier in 2017, at least three women were murdered in honour killing cases in different districts of southern Punjab. In a case registered in Miranpur, Aslam killed his 26-year-old wife, Shareefan Bibi, for having an affair with his 22-year-old nephew Ismail.

Similarly in Rajanpur, Peeran Ditta, 55, beheaded his daughter-in-law Hassena, 22, on the suspicion of having an affair with a neighbour. In Basti Halkani, Rajanpur, Muhammad Baksh killed his 20-year-old sister Hafsa over suspicion of having an affair with a man.

Murders in the name of honour have increased in south Punjab in the last two years. On an average, five women are murdered daily in the name of honour.



A few months back, female lawmakers from the PPP submitted a calling attention notice in the National Assembly Secretariat to discuss the alarming increase in the number of honour killing cases in the country.

MNAs Shazia Mari, Beelum Husnain, Mehreen Bhutto, Shazia Sobia, Shahida Rehmani and Surruya Jatoi submitted the notice.

“We would like to invite attention of Minister for Human Rights towards the alarming rise in the honour killing incidents … especially the brutal incident … in Khyber-Pakhtunkwa where a young girl Hina Shah Nawaz was barbarically murdered in the name of honour,” said movers of the notice.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 9^th, 2017.