By Zar Nageen
KARACHI, September 06 2006: The four daughters of Tasleem Bibi have forgiven their father, Maqbool Hussain, for killing their mother, as they have no one else to look after them, especially their brother who is afflicted with a disability. “On December 4, 2004, our father murdered our mother by throwing acid on her face during a domestic clash,” said Nadia, Sadia, Asia and Alia from Baloch Colony, while speaking to Daily Times.
“After the police arrested our father, we had no source of income. Our brother, who is a 20-year-old disabled person, was the only earner but due to his ailing health, he was not able to cope with the job,” said 22-year-old Nadia. “That was when all of us decided to ask the government to free our father and spare him from being hanged,” she said.
“My youngest sister, Alia, is 11. When this incident took place, all of us had to drop out of school, because we could not afford it anymore. Some people feel sorry for us, others taunt us for our father’s misdeed,” she added. “We have already lost our mother so now we cannot afford to lose our father also. Our relatives have turned their backs on us,” said Nadia. “Alia is scorned whenever she goes out to play with her friends. Whatever happened to our mother was unfortunate but was her fate. We forgive our father for what he did and want him back because we need him.”
“The court had told us to get a written consent approved from the Nazim of Jamshed Town UC-7 saying that we have forgiven our father. When we went to the Nazim he sent us to another person who sent us to a third person. They are not of any help and waste our time every day. They make false promises and like having us around in their office every day because we are helpless young girls. We are sick and tired of running from pillar to post to get consent before the court’s hearing on September 12.
“We request the government to free our father and accept our letter, which proves that we are the children of Tasleem and Maqbool Hussain. Our parents have not left us any property or money which we can rely on, and therefore if our father is not freed, we will be left with no other option but to commit suicide,” said Nadia.
Source: Daily Times
Date:6/9/2006
