Ashrafuddin Pirzada
LANDIKOTAL
The mother of a young girl allegedly killed in the Sultankhel village of Khyber district has demanded the immediate arrest of all four suspects nominated in the case, alleging that her daughter was tortured and killed after being accused her of honour killing.
Somia Bibi, widow of late Ajeebullah Afridi, made the demand while addressing a press conference in Landikotal on Monday. Accompanied by her three children, she appealed to the police and other authorities to ensure justice for her daughter Maryam Bibi and arrest the accused nominated in the FIR.
Somia alleged that despite the registration of a case against the suspects, two of the nominated accused had not yet been arrested. She appealed tthe police to take immediate action and ensure a transparent investigation into her daughter’s death.
According to the FIR registered at Landikotal Police Station, the case was registered as FIR No. 141/26 under Sections 302, 311 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code. The complaint names Shahwat Khan, Nadir Khan, Safiullah and Rajidullah, son of Shahwat Khan, as accused.
According to the complaint, Somia had allegedly been expelled from her home by her brothers-in-law several days before the incident and was separated from her children.
She told police that at around 1am on August 23, she was informed that her eldest daughter, Maryam, had allegedly consumed poison and died. When she reached her house, she found Maryam’s body lying in the veranda.
Somia alleged that there were several marks of violence on her daughter’s body, raising suspicion that she had been subjected to severe torture before her death. The complaint further alleged that Maryam was accused of immoral conduct and was subsequently killed in the name of honour.
Police registered the case on the basis of the mother’s complaint and initiated an investigation. Officials have said that the deceased had already been buried and that they would approach the court for permission to exhume the body so that further forensic and legal procedures could be carried out.
Somia demanded a fair investigation, the arrest of all nominated suspects and justice for her daughter. She said that she would continue pursuing the case until the facts surrounding Maryam’s death were established.
The case has also renewed concerns over rising allegations of violence against women and so-called honour-based violence in the tribal districts, where families of victims have repeatedly called for effective investigations and accountability.
The police investigation and any subsequent judicial proceedings were expected to determine the circumstances surrounding Maryam’s death and the responsibility, if any, of the nominated suspects.
