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Police search for man accused of killing journalist wife

September 6, 2020

Shaheena Shaheen, a TV host and reporter at state-owned broadcaster Pakistan Television, has been shot dead at her home in the northwestern city of Turbat. Her family hinted that it might be a case of an "honor killing."

https://p.dw.com/p/3i49t
Security officials in Balochistan (EPA/JAMAL TARAQAI)
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/J. Taraqai

Police in Pakistan's northwestern Balochistan province have carried out raids to arrest the husband of a female journalist who was killed in her home on Saturday.

Local police identified the slain journalist as Shaheena Shaheen, saying she worked for state-run Pakistan Television and edited a local magazine.

Read more: Pakistani women trapped between coronavirus and domestic violence

According to media reports, Shaheen was dropped off at a local hospital in critical condition by two men who fled as doctors tried to save her life. Police later learned that one of those men was the woman's husband, Nawabzada Mahrab.

"We have registered a case and started a search for the killer of the female journalist," said Siraj Ahmad, investigating officer on the case from Turbat, on Sunday, adding that Shaheen's family suspected her husband of the murder and that it might be a case of an "honor killing."

Shaheen had a court marriage six months ago and was living with her husband, according to police.

Pakistan: New law hopes to end honor killings

Killings in the name of honor

Violence against women, particularly domestic violence, is common in Pakistan. Rights groups have complained about the state's inaction to protect women from so-called "honor killings" and marital torture.

Pakistan is also considered one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists. Female journalists say they face discrimination in the workplace.

Read more: Imran Khan's government is 'muffling critical voices'

In November 2019, a man was accused of killing his journalist wife, Arooj Iqbal, in the eastern city of Lahore.

In May, a Pakistani man killed his two teenage cousins in an apparent "honor killing." According to investigators, the killings were carried out in response to a video showing the girls kissing a man.

In 2016, the murder of Pakistani social media star Qandeel Baloch by her brother sparked a nationwide debate over "honor killings." Three years later, her brother was handed a life sentence for murder.

shs/cmk (dpa, AP)