MURREE: The four accused in the Maria murder case were released on bail by the civil court in Murree on Tuesday.

Maria had accused Master Shaukat Abbasi, Rifat Abbasi, Mian Arshad and Haroon for her murder before she died, after setting herself on fire.

A high profile committee constituted by the Punjab chief minister (CM) conducted interviews and inquired into the case before presenting a report to the CM.

According to the report, Maria committed suicide and was not murdered. She had named the accused because she was pressured by her family.

After seeing the report, Advocate Jalil Akhter Abbasi filed a bail application with the Civil Court Murree which the court accepted and ordered for the four accused to be released.

The case was widely reported as a classic example of violence against women in Pakistan and many high profile writers and NGO representatives had visited Murree.

The case was also reported by international media.

Published in Dawn, July 13th, 2016