Main suspect arrested in Pakistani woman’s murder over land dispute: police

Police in Pakistan’s Punjab province said Thursday they had arrested the main suspect in the Pakpattan murder case, where a woman was allegedly shot dead by her brothers for refusing to hand over her property.

The murder, which took place in Al-Noor Colony on May 31, has sent shockwaves across the country, especially after a harrowing video surfaced of the victim’s young son sobbing next to her lifeless body.

The victim, Kanwal Bashir, had been living with her sister, Shagufta Hussain, for protection after surviving an earlier attempt on her life, also allegedly orchestrated by her brothers.

In the viral video recorded moments after the killing, her trembling son is seen crying: “My mother has been murdered. Amir Bashir killed her for the sake of 50 acres of land.”

According to First Information Report (FIR No. 619/25) lodged by Shagufta at the City Police Station, Kanwal had married Anwaar Jamal in 2017. During a prolonged illness, Anwaar transferred all his assets to Kanwal. These included agricultural land, homes in Pakpattan and Lahore, a car and other property.

Following the transfer, Kanwal’s parents and brothers -- particularly Amir Bashir and Asim Bashir -- allegedly began pressuring her to hand over the assets. When she refused, the threats intensified. A previous attempt on her life was documented under FIR No. 315/25 in Farid Nagar.

Fearing for her safety, Kanwal sought refuge at her sister’s home. But around the time of Fajr prayers on the morning of the murder, the accused stormed the residence.

According to the FIR, they banged on the door, waking the family. When Kanwal and Shagufta opened it, the armed men dragged Kanwal outside, shouting, “Today, Kanwal Bashir will pay the price for not transferring the property to our name.”

One of the suspects then shot Kanwal in the neck and head in full view of her family. She died on the spot. The attackers fled the scene, threatening to kill anyone who tried to pursue them.

A case has been registered under Sections 302 (premeditated murder) and 34 (common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

Shagufta has demanded swift justice: “My sister was killed for protecting what rightfully belonged to her. I demand justice not just for Kanwal, but for every woman threatened for her inheritance.”

It is important to note that the child seen in the viral video was Kanwal’s adopted son. Farooq, the cousin of the deceased, told Nukta that Shagufta is his aunt and that the woman's family adopted the child when he was less than one year old. Kanwal took the child with her after marrying Anwaar in 2017.

The gruesome murder has sparked widespread outrage, especially on social media, where the boy’s emotional video continues to circulate -- serving as a grim reminder of how inheritance disputes in Pakistan can turn fatal, particularly for women asserting their legal rights.