Family allegedly strangled 25-year-old hours before planned wedding; suspects flee after dumping body in fields
What Happened?
A 25-year-old girl, Salma, was allegedly murdered by her own father and brother on Thursday in Mauza Basti Sukhail Mahar (Ka-100 Sial), within the jurisdiction of Dera Nawab Sahib police station, Tehsil Ahmedpur East.
Police sources said the killing occurred late Wednesday night—just hours before her scheduled marriage on Thursday.
Who Are the Suspects?
The prime suspects are:
- Talib Hussain — father
- Unnamed brothers — direct accomplices
They allegedly strangled Salma to death, transported her body on a motorcycle, and dumped it in nearby fields before escaping.
Why Did the Murder Happen?
According to reports:
- Salma was an adopted daughter, raised by a woman named Amir Mai.
- Her wedding was arranged with a man in Hyderabad.
- Talib Hussain and his sons opposed the marriage, allegedly due to “family honour” and personal disagreements.
- When their objections were ignored, they reportedly killed her inside their home.
Where Was the Body Recovered?
After an all-night police search, the body was found in a mustard field and shifted to THQ Hospital, Ahmedpur East, for post-mortem examination.
The Dera Nawab Sahib police PRO confirmed that an FIR has not yet been registered, raising concerns about delays in legal proceedings.
A Deepening Crisis of “Honour” Violence
Despite decades of activism and legislation, honour-based killings remain a tragic and recurring reality in southern Punjab and rural Pakistan.
Key issues highlighted by this case:
- Failure of community structures to protect adopted or vulnerable women.
- Patriarchal control over marriage decisions leading to fatal consequences.
- Delayed police action, even in clear-cut homicide cases, undermines legal deterrence.
- No immediate FIR, indicating systemic reluctance in prosecuting family-perpetrated crimes.
Legal & Social Failure
Experts warn that until families stop viewing women as “property,” such crimes will continue. Courts may issue sentences, but cultural acceptance of such violence often shields perpetrators long before they reach trial.
Rana Sanaullah’s Reaction
Senior PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah, while speaking to reporters on Thursday, condemned the incident, stating:
“These murders are not honour killings — they are cold-blooded crimes. Police must ensure immediate arrests and no delay in registering the FIR. Society cannot progress while women are killed over decisions that should be theirs.”
He emphasized that the Punjab government must strengthen mechanisms for the protection of women, particularly in rural communities.