A two-month-old baby girl was allegedly murdered by her parents in the Harnoli area of Mianwali, police said on Thursday, in what investigators described as a “deeply disturbing” case.
According to police officials, the infant, named Palwasha, was killed because her parents were unhappy over the birth of another daughter. Investigators believe the couple drowned the child in a household water tank.
Police have arrested the father, identified as Shahzad, while the mother has fled and is currently being sought by authorities. A murder case has been registered by the state, with ASI Syed Anwar of Harnoli Police Station as the complainant.
During interrogation, Shahzad reportedly confessed to the crime, telling police he acted on the insistence of his wife and that he had been hoping for a son. Officers said the confession and circumstances of the crime point to a tragic case of gender-based violence.
The child’s body has been sent for post-mortem examination as part of medico-legal procedures. Police say they are pursuing the investigation with full seriousness and are making efforts to arrest the mother as soon as possible.
Authorities have condemned the incident, calling it a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers of discriminatory attitudes toward girl children.
