Man kills teen daughter for 'using mobile phone'

Kills other for having witnessed the crime; police arrest suspect

KARACHI:

A man slaughtered his two young daughters in a gruesome incident in Kausar Niazi Colony, North Nazimabad, on Tuesday, triggering outrage among local residents.

Police arrested the suspect and recovered the murder weapon - a knife - from his possession. As officers were escorting the suspect to the police station, enraged locals attacked and assaulted him.

Police managed to rescue the suspect and safely drove him to the station. The bodies of the sisters were shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for medico-legal formalities, while the Crime Scene Unit was called to collect evidence. The deceased girls were identified as eight-year-old Zainab and 14-year-old Aaliyah. The suspect was identified as Akbar, son of Abdul Sattar.

Adil Ahmed, SHO of Hydari Market police station, said police were informed about the incident by a citizen around 7am. Upon reaching the scene, officers found the two girls lying in a pool of blood. Their father, who was present at the location, was taken into custody.

Initial investigations revealed that the suspect was under severe financial stress due to debt and unemployment, which may have led him to commit the horrific act. However, during interrogation, the accused confessed to killing his elder daughter for "talking to someone on a mobile phone" despite his repeated warnings. He told police that when the younger girl woke up and witnessed the attack, he killed her as well.

A case will be registered, the SHO said, adding that efforts would be made to ensure the culprit receives exemplary punishment.

Akbar has three more daughters who are married and a son. His only son, Arsalan, stated that his morher died four years ago and his father had a history of violent behaviour and had expelled him from the home eight months ago. Arsalan appealed to police to ensure that his father does not escape justice. The victims' uncle described Akbar as a "monster" who deserves no mercy.

"My sisters were innocent. My father had a bad character; we had even lodged complaints against him in the past," he said, demanding strict punishment.