By Dr. Ansab Ali
Lahore, Pakistan

SWAT: At least three married women were killed in separate incidents across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Swat district over the past two days, in cases that police say allegedly involved current or former husbands, raising fresh concerns over violence against women.

The latest incident occurred in the Gulkada area on the outskirts of Saidu Sharif, where a 25-year-old woman, identified only as Suraj, was allegedly shot dead by her husband, Amir Zaman, following a domestic dispute.

Station House Officer (SHO) Zia-ur-Rehman said the couple had been married for six years and were parents of two sons. Police arrested the suspect shortly after the incident, recovered the pistol allegedly used in the shooting, registered a First Information Report (FIR), and launched an investigation.

In a separate case in Gulibagh Roria, Charbagh Tehsil, a married woman identified as Noorin allegedly died after being subjected to severe torture. Police said her husband, Ziaullah, along with his mother and brother, had been nominated in the FIR. However, the main suspects remain at large.

In another incident in Khwazakhela Tehsil, social media personality Nabila Khan, also known as Sana Ali, was allegedly shot dead by her former husband, Isa Khan, and his brother, Umar Bacha. Police have arrested Umar Bacha, while Isa Khan remains absconding.

Police said separate cases have been registered in all three incidents, and raids are continuing to arrest the remaining suspects.

The three killings within a span of two days have once again drawn attention to the continuing challenge of violence against women in Swat. Women’s rights organizations expressed deep concern over the incidents and called on authorities to ensure swift and transparent investigations, bring all those responsible to justice, and strengthen measures to protect women from domestic violence.

Police investigations into all three cases are ongoing.