LAHORE: In yet another twist to the suspected ‘honour killing’ case of a British woman of Pakistani origin, who was found dead inside her family home in Jhelum earlier this month, her father claimed on Sunday his daughter had committed suicide.
‘Honour’ killing — a custom in which a relative is killed by another for bringing the family dishonour — are a near daily occurrence in the country. The victims are overwhelmingly women, with hundreds killed each year.
Chaudhry Shahid, father of Samia Shahid — the woman whose husband Mukhtar Kazam has accused his wife’s family of killing her for converting to Shia faith, recorded his statement in front of the four-member investigation team formulated on the orders of Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.
The investigation team headed by Punjab DIG Abu Bakar Khuda Bakhsh arrived in Jhelum Saturday to probe into the matter.
“The victim’s father has told the new investigation team his daughter committed suicide,” sources privy to the development told media.
Chaudhry had earlier denied any charges that his daughter was killed for ‘honour’, insisting he did not want an investigation as she had died of natural causes.
On Tuesday, Kazam had called for the UK and Pakistani governments to ensure his wife received justice. Presenting a copy of the post-mortem report at a press conference, which said the 28-year-old had marks on her neck, he suggested Samia had been strangled.
The investigation team on Saturday visited Mangla police station and held a meeting with officials at Police Lines. The investigators also gathered details of the case from DPO and other officials concerned.
Investigation team also recorded the statement of Muhammad Shakeel, Samia’s former husband, who has reportedly said he was out of town at the time of the victim’s death.
Sources said police had broadened the scope of investigation, and it will also interrogate SI Ifzal Mehdi of homicide unit of the Jhelum Sadar Circle, who was previously investigating the case, Mangla SHO Malik Aqeel Abbas and other officials concerned.
Earlier this month the murder of social media star Qandeel Baloch by her brother, who said it was for ‘honour’, provoked international shock and revulsion.
Rights groups and politicians have for years called for tougher laws to tackle perpetrators of violence against women in the country.
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