A 28-year-old newly married woman died at Nishtar Hospital in Multan after suffering severe burn injuries in an incident at her home in Jatoi tehsil, prompting a police investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
The victim, identified as Fouzia, was admitted to the hospital’s burns unit on Sunday after sustaining critical injuries under unclear circumstances. According to hospital officials, she had suffered burns over 80 per cent of her body and succumbed to her injuries on Monday morning.
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Rescue 1122 and local police shifted the woman to the hospital shortly after the incident was reported.
According to the first information report (FIR) registered by Jatoi police, Fouzia had been married around four months ago and was living with her in-laws while her husband worked at a factory in Sialkot.
The FIR alleges that three of her in-laws — identified as her brother-in-law Niaz, along with Altaf and Fyaz — poured petrol on her and set her ablaze following a domestic dispute.
Police said the named suspects have been arrested and further investigation is underway.
However, a senior police official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said preliminary findings suggest the possibility that the incident may have been a case of self-harm linked to a domestic disagreement.
The official added that members of the Rescue 1122 team who responded to the case had initially described it as an attempted suicide.
Authorities have not yet confirmed the final cause or circumstances of the incident, and investigations remain ongoing.
Earlier, Punjab Women Protection Authority Chairperson Hina Parvaiz Butt took notice of the case and sought a report from the Muzaffargarh district police officer (DPO).
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She directed police to ensure a transparent and merit-based investigation while taking action against anyone found responsible.
The case has renewed concerns over domestic violence and women’s safety, with calls for a thorough inquiry into the woman’s death and accountability based on the investigation’s findings.