KARACHI: A newly married couple was shot dead outside the Malir courts on Monday shortly after they recorded statements before a judge that they had tied the knot of their own free will, police said.

They said 20-year-old Nadia Aslam and 25-year-old Najeeullah Aziz were attacked in the Saudabad area near the RCD Ground.

Korangi SSP Fida Husain Janwari told Dawn that the woman’s family had recently filed a complaint at the Sachal police station regarding her disappearance.

He said on Monday Nadia had been presented before a Malir court to record her statement, where she stated that she had married Najeeullah of her own free will.

According to the SSP, as the couple left the court premises in a car, assailants chased the vehicle and sprayed it with bullets. Both victims sustained critical bullet wounds and died on the spot.

The SSP said the assailants had been identified as woman’s relatives and efforts were underway to arrest them.

He added that Nadia originally hailed from Dadu.

Police surgeon Dr Summaiya Syed told Dawn that the couple was brought dead to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre.

Sachal SHO Mohammed Ameen Khoso said the woman’s parents had filed a missing report on May 19 and provided police with a cell phone number they considered suspicious.

The case was later transferred to the investigation wing, whose officers traced the woman.

He said investigators had presented her before the court on Monday when the attack occurred.

Meanwhile, Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar took notice of the killings and sought a report from the additional inspector general of police.

He directed police to immediately arrest those responsible and ordered investigators to examine all aspects of the case.

Mr Lanjar said those involved in targeting citizens would be brought to justice and assured the victims’ families that the government would ensure a fair investigation.

Published in Dawn, May 26th, 2026