Pakistani policewoman attempts suicide over ‘forced marriage’ to cousin

Christian George
2 Min Read

A female constable posted at Islamgarh Police Station in tehsil Khanpur, Pakistan, was rushed to hospital after allegedly trying to end her life, police and local sources said.

Constable Saba Kanwal reportedly swallowed sleeping pills while on duty in the station’s wireless control room.

The station house officer (SHO) and other personnel reached her without delay and took her to a hospital in critical condition. She received emergency treatment and has since been discharged.

Before the incident, a video message by Kanwal had circulated online. In it, she claimed her parents had forced her into marriage with her paternal cousin against her wishes, and that she was subjected to severe violence in that household.

She alleged that her husband and in-laws threatened to kill her. She said she went back to her parents’ home hoping to be safe, but felt threatened by her brothers as well.

In the video, the constable appealed to the Punjab government not to hand her body over to her family should she die.

Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Khanpur Shahid Nazir said Kanwal had been moved temporarily to police headquarters. He said the department was dealing with the case with great care, in line with her wishes and consent.

Police sources, however, maintained that Kanwal had never lodged a complaint of mental or physical abuse or harassment through any official channel before this.

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