SIALKOT: In a harrowing incident, an accused threw acid on his beloved and her three real sisters at their home in Sialkot city’s congested Bonkan-Pakka Ghara locality as a “punishment” for rejecting his marriage proposal on Tuesday. According to local police, the accused, Qasim, stated to be a quack, had his clinic in the area, when he developed friendship with a 20-year-old girl (identity withheld). Accused Qasim’s wife had died about six months ago and he was allegedly forcing the girl to marry him, besides giving her gifts on several occasions. Police added that the accused again proposed her on the eve of the Valentine’s Day, but she refused. “Infuriated, he decided to “punish” her.” Police added that the accused went to the house of girl, he wanted to marry, knocked at the door, saying that their mother had sent milk for them. As the girl opened the door, the accused threw acid, carrying in a steel ewer, on her and her three sisters, none of whom were said to more than eight years old. The neighbours gathered there after listening to the victims’ hue and cry. Later, rescuers shifted the victims to the Government Allama Iqbal Memorial Teaching Hospital Sialkot in critical condition. Doctors said that 40 percent head, 20 percent face, hands, arms of the girl were badly burnt, while 20 percent arms of the 6-year-old girl were also burnt. The condition of two other minor girls was stated to be critical. Meanwhile, Muradpur police arrested the accused, who confessed that he threw acid on the girls as a punishment for turning down his marriage proposal on the eve of Valentine’s Day. Police sent the accused behind the bars after registering a case. Further investigations were underway. Published in Daily Times, February 14th 2018.