Woman burned alive in domestic dispute

A woman died of severe burns at a hospital on Sunday after her sister-in-law set her on fire following a domestic quarrel in Quaid-e-Azam Colony in the jurisdiction of Dhamial Police Station.

Rawalpindi City Police Officer (CPO), Khalid Hamdani, took notice of the incident, which led to the arrest of the suspect's husband. Raids are under way to arrest the principle accused.

Police initially recorded the case as a fire caused by a compressor explosion. However, shocking revelations emerged after an FIR lodged by the victim's son and a supporting statement from her daughter.

The victim, Shazia Farooq, was rushed to the hospital with severe burn injuries but succumbed the following day. Her son, Shabbir Bhatti, lodged a complaint alleging attempted murder, noting that his father bore all household expenses - a recurring source of conflict. He stated his firm belief that his aunt, Hajra Adeel, set his mother ablaze during one such quarrel.

According to the FIR and the testimony of the victim's daughter, Dr Nimra, the accused had argued with Shazia and her daughter earlier that day, issuing threats. Neighbours later alerted the family, and upon forcing open the door, Shazia was found critically burnt.

Investigators reported that circumstantial evidence was collected from the scene. While the kitchen and other rooms were intact, burn traces were confined to the entrance area. The case was initially registered under attempted murder, but following the victim's death, Section 302 (murder) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) was added.

Police officials disclosed that the incident occurred two days ago in the Dhamial area. The suspects allegedly attempted to pass it off as an accidental fire caused by a compressor blast, but preliminary findings indicated that petrol had been poured over the victim before she was set alight.

The body has since been sent for post-mortem, with the exact cause of death to be determined through forensic and medical reports.