By Salis bin Perwaiz
Karachi: In a heart-wrenching incident on Tuesday, a seemingly psychotic Pakistan-born US national threw acid on his daughter and wife and later smashed their heads in with some blunt object in the Shah Faisal police limits.
His 25-year-old daughter, Zakia, died on the spot while his wife, Mushtari, is in a critical condition. She is being treated for her injuries at the Civil Hospital Karachi.
Police said the accused 60-year-old Iftikhar Ahmad, had come to Karachi from the United States along with his family some six months ago in connection with the marriage of his children. Two months ago, he had married off two daughters – Ayesha and Zakia – and a son. After marriage, his son left for the United States, along with his wife, while Zakia and Ayesha stayed in Pakistan.
A few days after his arrival in Karachi, his relations with his wife and her relatives took an ugly turn as Iftikhar believed that they wanted to occupy his house in Hafizabad. While he was in the US, he used to send money to his in-laws for the construction of his house on his 430-square-yard plot in Hafizabad.
After their arrival in Karachi, Ifikhar and his family lived on the ground floor of the house while his in-laws occupied the first floor.
He had several quarrels with them over the ownership of the house. He also used to quarrel with his wife over the intentions of her relatives.
Early on Monday morning, Ifikhar, frustrated and angry with his family, allegedly threw acid on his daughter Zakia and wife Mushtari and then bludgeoned them, killing Zakia and seriously injuring Mushtari.
Police said he was trying to make his escape when the neighbours got a hold of him and handed him over to the police.
However, the man refused to accept attacking his wife and daughter. He blamed the incident on his in-laws “When I heard my wife and children shouting for help, I rushed to their help, but some neighbours captured me,” the accused told the police.
He also told the police that his wife’s relatives had stolen his US passport.
Police is waiting for the recovery of Mushtari as her statement will be crucial in establishing responsibility of the crime.
Source: The News
Date:2/16/2011
