KARACHI / SUKKUR: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has taken notice of a gory incident in Jacobabad, where many houses in a village were set on fire over a couple’s freewill marriage about a week ago.

Sindh government spokesperson said on Saturday that the unfortunate incident took place aftera girl contracted a marriage of her own free will and her family lodged an FIR alleging her ‘kidnap’.

The girl eventually appeared in the high court to state that she had married on her own free will.

The Sindh government has sought a report on the incident of torching of the houses in the village and directed the authorities concerned to take action against the culprits.

The CM has sought a report from the Larkana commissioner and DIG, said a statement issued from the CM House.

It said that the chief minister has asked the commissioner to provide immediate relief to the affected people.

He also asked the DIG to ensure safety and security of the affected families and ascertain as to on whose instigation the homes were set on fire, the statement said.

The CM was quoted as saying that no one could be allowed to cause any harm to people’s life and property.

“Torching more than 100 homes is an inhuman act, thus intolerable,” he said.

Meanwhile, five suspects were booked and arrested under Anti-Terrorism Act while a hunt for around 20 others was underway.

Sources in the area suggested that the girl had been living in Siddique Arain village, after solemnising the marriage against the consent of her family and close relatives. Amid a high degree of tension between the families of the bride and groom, a large number of armed men from the girl’s side stormed Siddique Arain village, resorted to heavy aerial firing to spread fear and panic among locals and also torched more than 100 homes belonging to the groom’s relatives on May 5.

The fire caused heavy damage to the houses and losses to locals but there were no casualties, according to sources.

Published in Dawn, May 17th, 2026