Domestic Issue: Woman commits self-immolation

ISLAMABAD: A 25-year-old woman committed self-immolation in Sheikhpur near Tarnol over a family dispute on Thursday. According to the police, Sadia Bibi had a quarrel with her mother for not keeping sacrificial meat at a safe place, because of which it was eaten by cats. After being scolded by her mother, Sadia poured kerosene on her body and set herself alight. She was shifted to the burn centre of Holy Family Hospital (HFH) in Rawalpindi where doctors declared her condition critical. An official of the hospital said when the woman was brought to the hospital around 65 per cent of her body was burnt and she was unable to speak. “A team of doctors are trying to save her life, but given the severity of the burn injuries her chances [of survival] look slim,” he added. Afzal Jahan, the victim’s mother said, “I can’t believe that she would take such an extreme step over a minor scolding”. The dejected mother admitted that she had scolded her daughter for being negligent and minutes later she had lit herself alight.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 11^th, 2011.