Husband Shoots Wife Over Phone Suspicion

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A 45‑year‑old mother of seven was fatally shot by her husband in Lyari, Karachi, in what authorities believe was an “honour killing” sparked by suspicion she had spoken with someone on the phone. The suspect, identified as Nawab, has been arrested with the weapon in his possession.

According to police, the incident occurred during a heated altercation inside the couple’s home. Nawab reportedly became enraged on suspicion that his wife, Bakhtawar, had spoken to someone on his mobile phone. In that moment of rage, he used a 30‑bore pistol to fatally shoot her.

Police responded swiftly after the shooting. Neighbours and officers worked together to detain Nawab while he still held the murder weapon. Bakhtawar’s body was transported to the Civil Hospital in Karachi. No relatives came forward to claim the body, prompting locals to take steps to store it in a morgue temporarily. Authorities stated that if no formal complaint is filed by the family, a murder case will nonetheless be registered against Nawab under state prosecution protocols.

Contacted for comment, Chakiwara SHO Inspector Sajjad Dharijo confirmed the details, adding that the couple reportedly shared a single mobile phone, which Nawab kept at all times. Neighbours described him as appearing respectable, despite the domestic turmoil revealed by the shooting.

Bakhtawar worked as a helper at a private school in the neighbourhood and was the mother of four daughters and three young sons. Her life came to a tragic end over a moment of suspicion that escalated into violence.

This case comes amid wider concerns in Pakistan over domestic violence and so‑called “honour killings,” where women are murdered by male relatives over perceived moral transgressions. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan estimates that hundreds of women are killed annually in the name of family honour.

 While honour killings are not confined to rural or tribal areas, the prevalence in urban centres like Karachi underscores the persistent risk of intimate partner violence across all strata of society.

Police officials have assured that proper legal procedures will follow. Nawab is expected to face charges under relevant sections of the Pakistan Penal Code. Local legal experts stress the importance of swift judicial action in such cases to deter future incidents and uphold justice.

Bakhtawar’s children, still young and grieving, now confront a future without a mother. The case highlights the urgent need for continued efforts to protect women from domestic violence, enforce existing laws, and challenge social norms that justify lethal suspicion as legitimate grounds for violence.