The sister of a 25-year-old Pakistani pregnant woman stoned to death outside a court here today accused her husband of killing her, in a twist to a case that has sparked global condemnation.
In stark contrast to an earlier version of the story, Khalida Bibi in a statement filed with the Mozang Police stating that her father, brothers and other relatives had been implicated in the murder of her younger sister Farzana Parveen by her husband Muhammad Iqbal, 45.
She said that her sister murdered outside the High Court in Lahore on Tuesday by her own husband, after the family protested against their marriage.
"During a scuffle between my family members and Iqbal and his friends, Farzana suffered fatal head injury with the brick of Iqbal." Khaleda said, adding Farzana in fact was going to testify against Iqbal in a abduction case against him as he had forced her into marriage.
"Iqbal after killing Farzana put the blame on her family members," she said, adding Farzana was already married to Mazhar and Iqbal lured her into marrying him which was a crime and sinful act too.
Khalida said Iqbal had killed his first wife but he escaped punishment. She pleaded to the higher authorities to arrest Iqbal and interrogate him after recording the statements of the witnesses.
"If we (my family members) killed Farzana then how come Iqbal survived the attack," she asked and claimed that her father was innocent and he confessed to the murder after police torture.
Her statement contrasts with police and witnesses who say Farzana was killed by a mob including her own father.
Khaleda also demanded registration of a murder case against Iqbal. Police, however, have yet to entertain her request.
On May 27, Farzana was going to the Lahore High Court along with her husband Iqbal when her father, two brothers and some other relatives reportedly attacked them with bricks.
She died on the spot while Iqbal escaped unhurt.
Meanwhile, a Pakistani court today remanded Muhammad Azeem, father of Farzana, for seven days in police custody.
Police produced Azeem before the Anti-Terrorism Court in Lahore and sought his physical custody for further investigation and arrest of remaining accused.
Judge Rai Ayub Marth observed that the judiciary was tasked with the administration of justice adding that no one could be allowed to take the law into his or her hands. The judge directed the police to come up with progress in the case on next date.
The police have also arrested an uncle and three cousins of Farzana. However, they were not produced before the court today.
Iqbal has accused that Farzana'a family killed her as she married him against their wishes.
"They had filed an abduction case against me in the Lahore High Court and on May 27 we were to appear in the court in this regard," he said.
