Karachi Police Monday charged a man with allegedly setting his wife on fire after dousing her with petrol as punishment for insulting his second wife.
The incident occurred on Sunday evening in Thatta district, some 135km east of Karachi.
Reports identified the man as Qasim Maachi, a resident of Makli. The victim was identified as Mumtaz.
Burns to 50% of her body
Mumtaz sustained burns to 50 per cent of her body and doctors say her injuries could be fatal.
"The upper body of the woman is burnt badly and now she has been taken to Karachi for further treatment," police official Moharram Ali told Gulf News.
Initial police investigation said that the suspect was giving vague statements though he admitted committing the crime.
"He is just trying to dodge the police by giving misleading statements but we are trying to make him speak the truth," Ali said.
Violence against women, especially burning and acid throwing incidents, have been rampant in Pakistan and of late civil society and political parties have started campaigning against it.
Marvi Memon, a politician with Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, was pursuing the case to make sure the incident is dealt with.
Serious condition
Memon told Gulf News that the woman was brought to Makli Hospital after midnight and was in a serious condition.
She was also told that her husband set her on fire because of the fight involving him and his two wives.
"I have made sure that the police register the case under a new law against such atrocities," she said.
Throwing acid
A law was passed in December to curb throwing of acid on women's faces or general violence against them.
The "Acid Law" allows a maximum punishment of life imprisonment and heavy fines. "Under sections 336 and 337, the maximum punishment can be handed to the culprit," she said.
Around 200 attacks involving acid or fire occur annually in Pakistan with most of them reported in southern Punjab and northern Sindh. Some data suggest that 70 per cent of acid crime victims are women while 30 per cent are men and boys. In 60 per cent of the cases, the reason is domestic dispute.
