MIANWALI: A 13-year-old girl was allegedly shot dead by her cousin in Mianwali, Punjab, after leaving home without wearing a hijab. The allegation was made by the victim’s father in a police complaint. The incident reportedly occurred on Thursday.
According to the first information report (FIR), the father was accompanying his daughter to purchase household groceries. During their journey, the suspect, identified as Javad, allegedly stopped them. He reportedly confronted the teenager over leaving home without a hijab before opening fire.
The father alleged that Javad fired seven shots at his daughter with a pistol. The teenager died at the scene, according to the complaint. The FIR also stated that the suspect had previously objected to her going outside without a hijab.
According to the father’s account, the suspect had repeatedly warned the girl against leaving home without covering her head. The allegations have raised concerns about violence against women and girls over clothing choices and so-called honour-related disputes.
Police said the suspect fled after the shooting. Authorities registered a case based on the father’s complaint under legal provisions relating to so-called honour killing. Efforts were underway to arrest the suspect, and no arrest had been announced at the time of the report.
The allegations have not yet been tested in court. Further investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death.
Karachi Man Arrested in Cousin’s Alleged Kidnapping and Murder
In a separate incident in Karachi, police arrested a man identified as Faisal over the alleged kidnapping and murder of his 23-year-old cousin, Zain-ul-Abideen. Media reports said the case involved an alleged ransom demand of Rs700,000.
According to reports, Zain-ul-Abideen was abducted two days before his body was recovered. The kidnappers allegedly demanded money for his release. They reportedly sent one of his severed hands to his family to pressure them into paying.
The victim’s father told authorities that unidentified individuals delivered a shopping bag to their home. It allegedly contained his son’s severed hand, national identity card, SIM card and a keypad mobile phone.
The father said the kidnappers later contacted the family using the phone number. They asked to speak with an educated person, prompting him to connect them with his nephew, Faisal. According to the father, Faisal negotiated with the callers, and the ransom demand was reduced to Rs500,000.
Faisal allegedly went to deliver the ransom money, which later became relevant to the investigation. Malir Senior Superintendent of Police Khaliq Pirzada said investigators questioned him after he came under suspicion.
Police said Faisal allegedly confessed during questioning. Investigators subsequently recovered Zain-ul-Abideen’s body from an area near Pakistan Steel Mills, following information provided by the suspect.
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Preliminary police findings suggested a personal dispute between the cousins. Faisal allegedly told investigators that tensions had developed because Zain-ul-Abideen possessed compromising videos of him. The allegations remain subject to the ongoing legal process.
