Honour killing: Runaway couple killed, bodies hung on tree

Almas Khan eloped with his employer’s daughter despite being married and having four daughters.

LAHORE:

A runaway couple was murdered and their bodies later hung on a tree on Thursday in the Dorey village of Punjab’s district Chakwal.

Almas Khan, a resident of Pabbi area of Nowshehra, was employed as a servant by one Mazhar Hussain. Almas Khan and Hussain’s daughter Shamim Akhtar were said to be in an illicit relationship.

Khan had married Akhtar three months ago, and the couple had eloped to the Pabbi area of Nowshehra, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Saddar Circle Chakwal Chaudhry Abdul Saleem revealed while talking to The Express Tribune.

Upon learning of his daughter’s disappearance, Hussain lodged a First Information Report (FIR) at the Police Station Dhadhial against Khan and his family on charges of abduction.

According to the police, Akhtar’s family contacted the eloped couple on Eidul-Fitr, promising that they would be forgiven if they return to Chakwal. However, the couple was shot upon returning, while their bodies were hung from a tree.

A case has been registered against Qadeer, brother of deceased Akhtar, on the complaint of Rasheeda Bibi, the first wife of deceased Khan. The DSP claimed that Qadeer has been arrested and a pistol used in the couple’s murder recovered from his possession.

During initial interrogation Qadeer confessed to his crime and stated that he alone was involved in the act of killing, said the DSP.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 24^th, 2012.