LAHORE – A man shot his sister dead outside Lahore High Court on September 6, where she had appeared to defend her decision of marrying the man of her choice.

The father of Asma Ali, 21, had filed a complaint against his daughter’s husband in a court in Chiniot, alleging that he kidnapped his daughter. The court dismissed the complaint and he had filed an appeal with the Lahore High Court, which was rejected on September 6.

Three men, believed to be two of Asma’s brothers and a friend, opened fire on the couple, her mother-in-law and two other women relatives, as they walked outside the court after the verdict was pronounced. Asma died instantly, while her mother-in-law and the other women were wounded. Her husband Tawakkal Ali, 26, remained unharmed.

Superintendent of Police Lahore Usman Anwar Said people on the street over powered Asma’s brother Haidar Ali and handed him over to police. The other two fled the scene and police were looking for them. Asma had stated in the court that she married out of her own choice and asked to be allowed to live with her husband.

Source: The News

Date:9/7/2004