Woman’s Father Shot Dead in Khuzdar After Marriage Proposal Dispute; Family Alleges Years of Threats Ignored
KHUZDAR: An elderly man was shot dead in Balochistan’s Khuzdar district after his family allegedly refused a marriage proposal for his daughter, Asma Jatak, who had appealed for protection only hours before the attack through a video posted on social media.
According to police, Master Inayatullah Jatak was fatally shot on Tuesday in Shahzad Town, Khuzdar, while leaving his home to offer Asr prayers. Khuzdar SSP Dostain Dashti confirmed the incident but said the motive behind the killing was still under investigation.
The victim’s son, Ataullah Jatak, alleged that the attacker was a man identified as Zahoor Jamalzai, who fled the scene after opening fire. He further claimed that the suspect had been issuing repeated threats to the family over their refusal to accept his marriage proposal for Asma Jatak.
Ataullah said the shooting occurred only a short distance from the Khuzdar Police Lines despite the area’s heavy security presence. He also alleged that the suspect had warned the family to “prepare a shroud” if the proposal was rejected.
Hours before her father’s killing, Asma Jatak released a video statement in the Brahui language, holding the Holy Quran and appealing to Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti, former Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri, and other authorities to provide protection to her father and brother. She claimed the family had continued receiving threats despite earlier complaints.
Asma alleged that she had previously been abducted in February 2025 and forced to record a statement under duress. After her recovery, she maintained that she had no relationship with the accused and accused him of harassing and threatening her family.
According to her family, the dispute dates back to 2011, when Asma was engaged to her cousin Abdul Salam. They allege that after his marriage proposal was rejected, the suspect began threatening the family and that Abdul Salam was later killed in 2013.
The family further claimed that Asma’s maternal uncle, Muhammad Ashraf, who had actively protested against her alleged abduction, was also shot dead in November 2025. Relatives allege that Master Inayatullah was the third family member killed in connection with the long-running dispute, while they claim six people in total have lost their lives.
Ataullah Jatak said the family had repeatedly approached the Governor of Balochistan, the Chief Minister, the Inspector General of Police, the Deputy Commissioner, and the Khuzdar SSP seeking protection, but no effective action was taken. He expressed disappointment that despite multiple appeals, including Asma’s public plea for protection, the family remained vulnerable.
Social media users have widely expressed grief and concern over the incident, questioning why the family’s repeated requests for security were allegedly ignored.
The Balochistan government had not issued an official statement on the incident at the time of reporting. Meanwhile, SSP Dostain Dashti said no formal request for protection had been received from the family.
