TRIGGER WARNING: abuse, domestic violence

A 14-year-old girl married to a policeman in Sialkot has been set on fire after her husband became unhappy with the dowry provided to him.

According to the complaint filed with the Sialkot police by labourer Tariq Mahmood, his daughter Muneeb Fatima, was married to Constable Waqas Nazir, who was posted at the Satrah Police Station, of Pasrur Tehsil. The marriage took place five months ago, however , when he went to visit their home, he was told by his daughter’s in-laws that she was happy and did not want to meet him.

Speaking to DAWN, Mahmood elaborated that when Fatima came back to visit him after five months, she revealed details of torture, including being burnt by a clothing iron and being kept in chains.

Mahmood further reported that his daughter was set on fire by her husband after he sprinkled petrol on her. When the labourer confronted Waqas, he was shot at and given death threats.

Mahmood said his daughter was tortured by both her husband and his sister, Sadaf.

Muneeb Fatima is receiving treatment at Tehsil Headquaters Hospital, Pasrur.

The abuser, according to Dawn, made calls to a journalist and threatened to have him killed. The police, under the orders of the DPO, made several threatening calls to the journalist.

According to the a spokesperson for the Sialkot district police, Waqas Nazir has been suspended by the DPO, while an inquiry has been launched against him.