Teenage girl who married for love survives being shot in face by family

A Pakistani woman dragged herself from a canal after being shot in the face by her family, stuffed in a sack, and left for dead.

The woman’s relatives tried to kill her for marrying for love and she said she fears for her life and appealed for protection.

Saba Maqsood, 18, survived being shot and thrown in a canal by her family on Thursday, weeks after the “honour killing” of another woman in Pakistan drew worldwide condemnation.

Maqsood angered her family by marrying the man of her choice a few days ago in the Punjabi city of Gujranwala — an act of defiance in a conservative part of Pakistan where women are expected to agree to arranged marriages.

Speaking from hospital, she said: “Even though police provided security for me, I fear my family will try to kill me and my husband.” Police said Maqsood was attacked and shot by her father, uncle, brother, and aunt, and thrown into the waterway in the city of Hafizabad in Punjab province on Thursday.

Maqsood regained consciousness and managed to struggle to the bank, where two passers-by helped her.

Police have vowed to protect her. Regional police officer Ali Akbar said: “I have contacted her husband Qaiser but he is reluctant to come to the hospital because he is afraid of being attacked.”

Police have raided Maqsood’s home but the suspects appear to have vanished, police said.

Last month, Farzana Iqbal was attacked and killed by family members in broad daylight because she had married the man she loved.