LAHORE: Sonia’s pretty face as well as her desire for marital bliss were burnt when her idle fiancé threw acid on her for breaking the engagement. Her attractive eyes however remained intact. The 16-year-old Shah Di Khui resident was severely burnt and is in critical condition at Jinnah Hospital. Sonia said her father Salamat Masih had engaged her a year ago to her cousin Patras Masih, who was unemployed and spent most of his time with his friends. When advice and several warnings to Patras to get a job fell on deaf ears, Salamat refused to marry her to Patras. The two families quarreled over the issue. Patras’ family tried to convince Salamat again, after a few days, but Salamat linked the marriage to Patras’ employment. Sonia was washing clothes in her house on Wednesday and her uncle and grandmother were indoors when Patras entered the house with an acid bottle. He asked Sonia to marry him, and on her refusal threw the acid on her face saying he wouldn’t let her marry anyone else either.
The left side of Sonia’s face and the upper part of her body were severely burnt. Her family came out on hearing her screams and rushed her to Jinnah Hospital where she is stated to be in a critical condition. Sonia’s family said the treatment and surgery would cost Rs 250,000, which they could not afford. They said Sonia was worried about her future. The Muslim Town police have registered case number 314/2005 under Section 324 and 452 of Pakistan Penal Code against Patras Masih. Sub Inspector Khadim Hussain, the investigation officer, said police were making raids but had not been able to arrest Patras so far.