NAROWAL: A man allegedly subjected his pregnant wife to brutal torture and attempted to burn her alive along with their two children after his poor in-laws could not give her Rs200,000, he had demanded.

The woman, who was said to be in trauma after the incident, was admitted to the district headquarters hospital after being shifted there by Rescue 1122 staff and police.

According to the victim’s brother Jamshed Ali, his sister Amna Bibi was married to Mujahid, a labourer of Jamun Chandowal village, four years ago and the couple had two children.

He said Mujahid would often torture her and demanded money from them.

On Thursday, he said, Mujahid again asked Amna, who was pregnant, to go to her parents and bring him Rs200,000. He said being poor labourers they could not arrange the amount.

He said when Amna returned empty-handed, her husband got enraged and subjected her to severe torture. He lamented that because of the brutal torture his sister had lost her senses.

He alleged that Mujahid then doused his wife and children in petrol and was about to set them ablaze when the neighbours intervened after hearing their cries. He said after rescuing Amna and her children, the locals called police and Rescue 1122 for help.

He said Mujahid fled the scene before police arrived there.

He appealed to Chief Minister Usman Buzdar to take notice of the incident and ensure justice was done.

Police were looking into the matter.

Published in Dawn, February 12th, 2021