Pakistani Man Kills Daughters and Their Children Due to One Daughter's Unwanted Marriage

Police reported that a Pakistani man killed his two daughters and their four children by setting fire to the house they lived in due to one daughter's marriage against his wishes. Abdul Majid, a police official, told reporters via phone that the suspect, identified as Mansoor Hussain, is wanted on suspicion of igniting the blaze in the home where daughters Fauzia and Mai resided in a village in the Muzaffar Garh district of central Pakistan. Majid stated that Mai's husband also died in the fire. The Pakistani official added that the first daughter, Fauzia, had married Mahboob Ahmed about 18 months ago against her father's wishes following a love story, which contrasted with traditional marriage practices. The official stated, "The incident occurred due to a dispute between the families over the love marriage." The husband who survived the fire told police during the investigation that he was not at home when the fire broke out and saw the house burning upon returning from work early in the morning. He added that his infant son (four months old) perished along with Mai's three children (aged two, six, and 13). The Pakistan Human Rights Commission reports that hundreds of women are killed by their relatives annually for marrying against their will.