SAHIWAL: A man was killed by his younger brother over a family dispute in Mohalla Mahar Shah, Malkan Hans, tehsil Pakpattan, on Saturday.

Muhammad Zafar lived in a joint family with his two brothers. He was married to Kishwar and in exchange, his sister Sajida was married to Kishwar’s brother Amir Sohail.

Three years ago, Amir divorced Sajida who returned to her brother’s home. Zafar’s younger brother, Arshad, asked Zafar to divorce Kishwar in retaliation. Zafar refused, stating he had no differences with his wife and kids. This disagreement became a persistent source of conflict among Zafar, Arshad, and their divorced sister Sajida Bibi at home.

On Saturday, Kishwar’s father visited Zafar’s house to see his daughter and grandchildren. On noticing his presence, Arshad asked Zafar to make his father-in-law leave immediately. When Zafar and his wife resisted, a heated argument escalated into a physical fight. Arshad picked up an iron hook and struck Zafar in the abdomen and chest. Despite attempts by Arshad’s younger brother Anser and Kishwar’s father to restrain him, Arshad continued the assault, critically injuring Zafar before fleeing the scene.

Kishwar, her father, and Ansar rushed Zafar to the DHQ Hospital Pakpattan in a private vehicle where doctors declared him dead. Police conducted a post-mortem. Later, Malkan Hans police registered a murder case against Arshad on the complaint of Kishwar.

BOOKED: Yousafwala police registered a case against six suspects belonging to the Christian community for insulting, assaulting and publicly humiliating a Catholic priest and his associate near Nasir Town, Chak 53/5-L, tehsil Sahiwal.

Father Irfan Manzoor and Ubaid have been serving as religious leaders at the Catholic Church of Nasir Town for the past 20 years, managing all services. They had longstanding differences with certain members of their faith within the village. On the day of the incident, Father Irfan and Babu were visiting church houses dressed in ceremonial attire when they were intercepted by Amanat Masih, Nadeem Nazir, Karamat, Younas, Yousaf, Nadeem Munir Masih, along with five unidentified individuals. A heated exchange ensued, leading to a scuffle.

The FIR states that during the altercation, Father Irfan’s gown was torn and the Holy Bible fell to the ground.

Locals intervened and managed to defuse the situation by getting the priest away from the mob.

Two days later, Yousafwala police registered a case against 11 persons, including five unidentified suspects on the complaint of Ubaid. However, police have not yet arrested any of the suspects.

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2026