In another incident of honour killing, an elderly couple, who had a love marriage 55 years ago, was brutally killed along with four of their children in Pakistan’s Punjab province, media said today.
The cold blooded murder occurred in Malkana Mor area of Athara Hazari tehsil of Jhang district on the intervening night of Monday and yesterday.
The couple, Ghulam Fatima, a widow and Fazal Razzaq had had married some 55 years ago without the consent of the woman’s family and shifted to Jhang, Dawn online reported.
Following the marriage, the couple was blessed with nine children and had been living happily after but the tide of good fortunes turned abruptly when the tragedy struck on Tuesday.
Police said a few days back, Fazal, Fatima’s son from her first marriage, had come to her house in Jhang district and had been staying there since then.
He, apparently on Monday night, spiked family’s meal with some strong tranquiliser drugs and the whole family fell unconscious after dinner.
Fazal, who was then allegedly joined by his five accomplices, axed the couple and their three daughters — from 23 to five years of age — and an 11-year-old son.
Before fleeing the crime scene, the suspects severely injured couple’s five other children.
Last year, 869 cases of honour killings were reported, according to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. The true figure could be higher since many cases go unreported.
In most cases, the culprits escaped punishment after being pardoned by complainants who happened to be their close relatives.
