A woman who was set on fire by her husband on Friday died at a hospital on Saturday. In another incident, three children suffered burns when their mother’s former fiancé set their house on fire.
Saifur Rehman, 35, a resident of Ghous Paak colony in Muzafargarh, had married Nirma, 32, about eight years ago.
The couple had two children. Rehman suspected Nirma of an extra-marital affair and would frequently threatened her with divorce.
Nirma’s brother, Dilawar, said she was not allowed to meet her parents who lived in nearby Baseera. He said when she last visited her parents’ home, her husband beat her for it.
On Friday, Rehman doused Nirma with petrol and burnt her in front of their son. She was taken to Muzafarhgarh DHQ hospital and then to Nishtar Hospital in Multan, with more than 80 per cent burns. She died in the emergency ward on Saturday.
Her brother has registered an FIR in the Muzafarhgarh police station.
Police arrested Rehman on Saturday from a religious seminary.
In another incident, the former fiancé of a woman burned her three children. Sajid, 27, resident of Tal Jal Waala was engaged to Meena Bibi five years ago. Her mother later broke the engagement, due to his financial situation. Bibi was then married to Saleem Bhutta. Sajid had been threatening to kill her and demanded that she divorce her husband. He had also threatened to kidnap her.
Police said Sajid had three people set fire to the house using kerosene oil. Two of them were identified as Sajid’s colleagues and one remains unidentified.
The fire injured one-year-old Younus, six-year-old Yousuf and four-year-old Arooj.
The fire also burnt down the house. Neighbours took the children to the Muzafarhgarh district headquarters hospital. Doctors at the hospital later said all three were out of danger.
Shah jamal police station have arrested one of the suspects identified Rizwan. Sajid and two others are yet to be arrested.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 2nd, 2014.