ISLAMABAD, Feb 9: Law Minister Wasi Zafar on Wednesday took notice of threats being given to a minor daughter of a PIA airhostess, who was killed last year, and directed the authorities concerned to provide protection to the child.

The airhostess, Yasmin Malik, was raped and killed by a waiter, Salim, in a hotel in Karachi on Nov 7, 2004. The accused was arrested on Nov 22.

The family of the airhostess, especially the child, was being threatened with dire consequences reportedly by the accused. The airhostess was reported to have estranged relations with her second husband Mohammad Jan, whom she had married in 2001 after getting a divorce from first husband Malik Bashir. The girl is living with a friend of the deceased, because the second husband had refused to provide her protection.

In a directive issued here on Wednesday, the minister sought details of the case and directed the authorities concerned to ensure the child's safety.

Mr Zafar also asked the authorities to take steps for early prosecution of the accused and directed the human rights wing of his ministry to make necessary arrangements for rehabilitating the child and to provide her all possible assistance.

According to a primary report received by the authorities, the airhostess had two children from the first husband. One of them, a son Zeeshan Malik, was killed by the accused, Salim, in 1997. Salim had already served seven-year sentence but was released in May 2004. Soon after his release, he killed the airhostess.