The heartbroken brother of Pakistan’s latest ‘honour killing’ victim – burned alive because she left the house without permission – said he will set himself alight if he does not get justice.
Shabana Bibi, 25, from the Muzaffargarh district of the country, died in hospital on Saturday after suffering burns to 80 per cent of her body.
Police have arrested her husband Muhammad Siddique and father-in-law Pir Bakhsh.
Bibi’s brother, Muhammad Azam said Siddique became enraged on learning his wife had visited her sister without first asking him if she could go out.
His father then beat Bibi before dousing her with petrol on April 17, Azam added.
Bibi had been married to Siddique for three years, during which time she had suffered repeated domestic abusebecause the couple couldn’t have children, her brother explained.
However, Azam says police believe Bibi committed suicide, despite the arrests.
‘I would set myself on fire in front of the office of the district police chief if I did not get justice,’ he said.
District police chief Rai Zameer-ul-Haq said:
‘We have arrested the husband and father-in-law of the deceased woman and charged them for murder and terrorism.’
But Naseem, the investigating officer, now says police have no doubt Bibi committed suicide.
He said the police investigation will end if three people from the area take an oath on the Quran claiming Bakhsh is innocent.
He said police have asked the men to visit the police station tomorrow so the oaths can be made.
