Teenage Daughter Shot By Father At City Court Over Free-Will Marriage

On Jan. 23, a young woman who had recently left her home in the Pirabad neighborhood, Pakistan, to marry the man of her choice was shot dead at the entrance to the City Courts, allegedly by her father, in the name of so-called "honor." She had been brought there by police to give a statement to a judicial magistrate, Mirror Now reported.

According to City SSP Shabbir Ahmed Sethar, who spoke with the media, Head Constable Imran Zaman, who was tasked with protecting the victim Hajira, 19, and passer-by Wajid Kaleem, 20, was also hurt in the incident.

The suspect, who has been identified as Ameer Jan Mehsud, the victim's father, was apprehended, according to Sethar, and the weapon used was also seized from him.

The dead and wounded were shifted to the Dr. Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi.

According to police surgeon Dr. Summaiya Syed, Hajira was shot three times in the chest and once in the abdomen.

Hajira was being escorted to the court by policewomen, the SSP stated, when they arrived at Gate No. 4 of the City Courts, the lone suspect, who was allegedly pursuing them, opened fire indiscriminately, striking his daughter as well as a police officer and a civilian.

According to the SSP, "the victim girl had married a man, said to be a doctor, and her father killed her for so-called honor." He also added that the man was apprehended and a case of terrorism charges was being filed against him.

Officer Khyber Zaman, a constable assigned to Gate No. 4, has been suspended for negligence.

The media was informed by Pirabad SHO Mukhtiar Ahmed Panhwar that Hajira had fled her home about ten days prior. After her father reported the teen girl missing, the police located her alleged husband Anis Rehman, and brought her back.

She admitted getting married to Mr. Rehman during the initial investigation. But when he appeared before a judge on Sunday, the judge sent him to jail on judicial remand, according to the SHO.

The SHO stated that the injured officer belonged to the Pirabad police station's investigation branch and that his health was not in danger.