Multan man sets sister-in-law on fire over domestic dispute

MULTAN: A man set his sister-in-law on fire Friday night here in the city's Qasba Maral area over what police said was a domestic dispute.

According to police, Rashid Hussain — Sonia's younger brother-in-law — was so enraged over a spat in the family that he went outside to fetch petrol from his motorcycle. He then used it to douse one of the rooms, poured it over his sister-in-law, then set both on fire.

Police further noted that Sonia was in an extremely critical condition and shifted to the Nishtar Hospital's burn unit, which said the survivor had suffered burns on 70 percent of her body.

Sonia, police sources added, has two sons with her husband of seven years. The couple reportedly fought often and it was one of such clashes that Rashid Hussain became angry enough to set his sister-in-law on fire.

In her statement recorded at the Basti Malook police station, her father, Mohammad Rafi, said the suspect set Sonia ablaze in front of them and that he and his son were also injured as they tried to save their burning daughter.

Police mentioned that they have filed a first information report (FIR) in accordance with Section 324. They also said they were conducting raids to search for the suspect.