KARACHI – A horrifying case of domestic violence has shaken the city as a man, identified as Arthur, was allegedly set ablaze by his in-laws in the Ittehad Town locality. The attack, described by investigators as premeditated, ended in Arthur’s tragic death after days of suffering in the hospital’s burns unit.
Sources within the police told reporters that Arthur had been lured to his wife’s residence under the false pretense of reconciliation. His wife, Mishie, reportedly invited him over for a peaceful meeting, but the situation took a brutal turn. As soon as Arthur entered the house, the main gate was locked behind him, and he was physically assaulted by members of his in-laws’ family.
Before succumbing to his critical injuries, Arthur managed to give a statement, recorded on video, in which he named his mother-in-law Samina, two male relatives, and several others as the individuals who doused him in petrol and set him on fire. His cries alerted neighbors, who rushed to the scene and helped shift him to Civil Hospital Karachi, where doctors battled for days to save his life.
Arthur’s condition deteriorated, and he passed away in the hospital, but not before leaving behind a testimony that now forms the cornerstone of the ongoing investigation.
So far, police have arrested Arthur’s father-in-law and uncle-in-law. Raids are continuing to apprehend the remaining suspects named in his statement. Authorities say the video evidence is expected to play a key role in the prosecution.
The gruesome nature of the incident has reignited debate around domestic violence, especially against men — a largely underreported issue in Pakistan. Human rights organizations have condemned the incident and are calling for swift justice and legal reforms to protect victims of familial abuse, regardless of gender.
In a separate but equally disturbing incident from Larkana, a man identified as Shakeel Ahmed was arrested after a video of him torturing his infant nephew surfaced online. In the footage, Ahmed is seen forcing green chilies into the baby’s mouth, allegedly to “punish” his brother-in-law. The video, which quickly went viral on social media, drew strong outrage and prompted immediate action from SSP Larkana, Ahmed Faisal Chaudhry.
Both cases highlight a deeply troubling rise in family-based violence across the country. Rights activists urge authorities to treat these cases not as isolated events, but as a reflection of a broader, systemic issue that demands urgent legal and societal attention.
