The Murder of Zahra Qadeer

Background

• Zahra Qadeer, a resident of Daska in Sialkot, was a mother of a two-and-a-half-year-old child and nine months pregnant.
• She had returned from Saudi Arabia after staying with her husband.

Discovery of the Murder

• Zahra's father, Shabbir Ahmad, became worried when he didn't hear from her.
• Upon visiting Zahra's in-laws, he was told she was not at home and that Zahra's in-laws claimed she had run away with money and jewelry.
• Shabbir Ahmad searched every room for Zahra and grew suspicious that something was wrong.
• The police were informed and a kidnapping report was filed against Zahra's in-laws.

Police Investigation

• Police claimed that Zahra was murdered by her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law with the help of relatives.
• Her body was dismembered and thrown into a drain.
• The weapon used in the murder was recovered.

Motives for the Murder

• It is said that the love between Zahra and her husband was the motive for the murder.
• Zahra's mother-in-law suspected that Zahra had cast a spell on her son.
• Zahra's second pregnancy caused concern for the mother-in-law, fearing her son would be completely under Zahra's control.

Outcome

• Zahra's murder has shocked everyone who hears about it.
• Zahra's father is devastated as his daughter was his companion in happiness and sorrow.
• The incident is being spread to more people through BBC Reads.