SAHIWAL: An expat allegedly killed his two stepsisters, threw their bodies in River Ravi and flew back to Saudi Arabia.

The incident took place at village 50/GD where Ayesha (16) and her sister Fatima (13) were killed in the name of honour.

Noor Shah police registered a murder case a month later, following a complaint by their uncle, Jaffar Ali, under sections 302, 201, 109, and 34 of Pakistan Penal Code.

The police arrested expatriate’s father Zakir and his second wife, Nasreen, for facilitating the disposal of the bodies near Pattan Daad Baloch.

Police claim that a dispute over Zakir’s hereditary property was the primary motive behind the murders. Ali Hamza, the son of Zakir and Nasreen, is the main suspect.

Zakir’s [deceased] first wife, had two daughters, Ayesha, a class-IX student, and Fatima, a class-V student.

As per neighbours, Nasreen’s relationship with her stepdaughters was strained, and the two sisters held half of Zakir’s agricultural property. Last month, Ali Hamza reportedly travelled to Pakistan and, along with his mother, killed the sisters. The girls were allegedly struck on the head with rods while they slept in the courtyard.

Ali Hamza later claimed to his father that the girls were caught in compromising situations, which led him to kill them in the name of honour.

Ali Hamza, Zakir, and Nasreen allegedly disposed of the bodies in the Ravi and Hamza then returned to Saudi Arabia. When family members inquired about the whereabouts of the girls, Zakir claimed they had gone to stay with relatives.

It was only after questioning by their uncle Jaffar Ali that the matter surfaced. Noor Shah police have arrested Zakir and Nasreen, but the bodies of the girls have yet to be found.

INJURED: Six people were injured when the concrete roof of an animal pond collapsed due to continuous heavy rain over the past 24 hours at village 22/SP, near Bhamni Pul, Pakpattan tehsil.

Reports said there were no livestock under the concrete structure at the time, only heavy agricultural machinery.

A tractor was damaged by the debris. Rescue 1122 said all the injured were shifted to Pakpattan DHQ Hospital.

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2024