July 15, 2024
ISLAMABAD – THIS STORY CONTAINS MENTIONS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN.
In a shocking incident that has gripped the nation, the body of Syeda Sania Zehra, a 20-year-old pregnant mother of two, was discovered hanged in her home in Multan two days ago.
The FIR has been registered by the victim’s father at the New Multan police station under sections 302 (intentional murder), 148 (rioting armed with a deadly weapon) and 149 (unlawful assembly) of the Pakistan Penal Code.
According to the FIR, the victim was between five and six months pregnant at the time of her death and the main accused, the victim’s husband, fled the scene without informing her family of her death.
The suspect had lied to the victim’s family at the time of their marriage and was already married to another woman, the complainant stated. The family had filed a case in the family court against the suspect, however, the case was eventually retracted.
The husband repeatedly threatened his wife and pressured her to sell the house she owned, the FIR said.
The gruesome murder has ignited a social media storm as it comes on the heels of several other incidents of domestic violence. Taking to their Instagram stories, Pakistani celebrities also expressed their anger and demanded justice for Sania Zehra.
Azfar Rehman called for the punishment of not only the murderer but also those who played a role in his upbringing.
On X, Ushna Shah acknowledged it was wrong of her to once expect the internet to feel sorry for the family of abusers.
Minal Khan lamented the recurring violence against women, expressing shame over societal failures.
Ahsan Khan emphasised the need to remember the consequences of violence and urged collective action to stop it.
Rubya Chaudhry insisted on severe punishment for aggressors to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
Hasan Raheem simply reflected on the humanity lost, while Maria Unera highlighted the lack of safety for women in their own homes.
In another story, Unera lamented how the problem isn’t just the law, it’s society.
Mariyam Nafees described the incident as horrific and pointed out the failure of the system that allows abusers to roam free.
Mansha Pasha brought attention to the mental health crisis among men, which often leads to such tragic outcomes.
Dananeer Mobeen emphasised the importance of activism and awareness to combat such violence.
Talha Anjum expressed sorrow and hoped for peace for Zehra’s soul, while Aiman Khan criticised the justice system, expressing her devastation as a mother.
Maanu called out the people who still question the legitimacy of the Aurat March and asked why women march.
Sania Zehra’s death comes on the heels of a woman being murdered by her in-laws for not preparing food quickly enough and anchorperson Ayesha Jahanzeb filing an FIR against her husband over habitual abuse and threats to her life.
Addressing the issue of violence against women in Pakistan needs a lot of work and a collective effort from all of us. It needs legal reform, police procedural reform and, most importantly, societal reform to ensure that this doesn’t happen again. Most of all, we need outrage — outrage over these acts of violence should never die down.