The Punjab government has confirmed that Sania Zehra, a 20-year-old pregnant woman found dead in Multan, was murdered by her husband, Syed Ali Raza Bukhari, and her mother-in-law, Azra Jeewan Shah.
In a press conference held in Lahore, Provincial Information Minister Azma Bukhari, accompanied by Hina Pervaiz Butt, Chairperson of the Women Protection Authority, revealed that evidence pointed conclusively to murder rather than suicide.
“No evidence of suicide was found in the Sania Zehra case. The mother-in-law and husband had put a noose around the girl’s neck together,” Bukhari stated. She detailed that the forensic lab report and injury marks on Zehra’s neck and shoulders were consistent with strangulation, refuting the initial claims of suicide.
Bukhari, a criminal lawyer, explained that DNA evidence collected from Zehra’s nails matched samples from her husband and mother-in-law. She further stated that the dupatta found tied around Zehra’s neck was an attempt to stage the scene as a suicide.
“Forensic analysis has provided clear evidence against Sania’s mother-in-law and husband,” Bukhari added. She also praised Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz for her efforts in improving women’s protection through initiatives like virtual police stations.
The case garnered public attention on July 9 when an Instagram page, “Justice for Sania,” detailed the tragic events. According to the page, Zehra was killed on July 8, and her family was informed the following day.
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The account alleged that Zehra’s husband subjected her to brutal torture, including cutting her tongue, breaking her teeth, and crushing her feet. It was also claimed that Zehra, who was five months pregnant and had two young sons, was raped before being murdered.
The victim’s father, Syed Assad Abbas Shah, accused his daughter’s in-laws of attempting to cover up the crime, suggesting that the motive was related to money and property. Despite the post-mortem report stating that Zehra’s death was caused by asphyxiation due to hanging, with no signs of violence or pregnancy at the time of her death, the government’s investigation contradicted these findings.
A six-member committee was formed to probe the case further after discrepancies emerged between the FIR and the post-mortem report. The Punjab government has now officially confirmed that Sania Zehra was murdered by her husband and mother-in-law.
