SAHIWAL; A woman’s dowry valued at Rs2.2 million was allegedly set on fire by her husband and in-laws in village 72/5-L in her absence.

Yousafwala police registered a case against the husband and three in-laws under Pakistan Penal Code sections 436 and 427, on a complaint by Tanzeela Mahnaz from 186/5-L.

She said she was married to Usman Amjad and had moved into his family home two years back. However, tensions arose, and her mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and brother-in-law reportedly subjected her to repeated physical abuse alongside her husband.

Unable to endure the torture, and repeated warning from her families, ultimately she left and returned to her father, Talib Hussain’s house.

Later Tanzeela was informed by neighbours that her husband and in-laws had set fire to her dowry, which was still stored at her in-laws’ home.

She alleges that her husband deliberately destroyed her belongings after she refused to return to him without assurances of better treatment.

Neighbours called Rescue 1122 and attempted to extinguish the blaze, but all her dowry items were reduced to ashes before the fire was brought under control.

SHOOTOUT: Two injured outlaws were arrested by the Crime Control Department (CCD) following a shootout near village 42/EB, Rang Shah vicinity, Pakpattan.

The suspects, identified as Usman, of village 132/9-L, and Abu Mursad, alias Qatri, of 11/10-L, Sahiwal, were reportedly involved in inter-district dacoity, attempted murder, and street crimes, including theft.

CCD personnel set up a checkpoint at Rang Shah Canal when they signaled three motorcycle riders to stop.

The riders ignored the order and run away. Police chased and instead of stopping they opened fire on the police.

Officers retaliated, leading to an exchange of gunfire in which two suspects sustained bullet wounds, while the third managed to escape under the cover of darkness.

No police officials were injured in the incident. The injured suspects were transferred to THQ Hospital, Arifwala, for medical treatment, while efforts are underway to track down the fugitive.

FIRE: A well-known pharmacy at 39 Chungi, Chichawatni city, was reduced to ashes in a fire that broke out on Monday.

Rescue 1122 took 50 minutes to extinguish the flames.

Adam Khan, pharmacy owner, alleged that the fire was not caused by an electrical short circuit but was deliberately set using incendiary materials. He reported millions of rupees loss.

DSP Saleem Marth said a full investigation would commence once the building had cooled and cleared by Building Department.

Meanwhile, police have taken pharmacy employees into custody for questioning.

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2025