Lahore: The father of the 25-year-old pregnant woman who was brutally killed for marrying the man of her choice today said he had no "remorse" over his act and called the cold-blooded murder an "honour killing".
Muhammad Azeemn, father of Farzana Parveen, was arrested yesterday by the police.
"I have no regrets on my actions as she deserved this fate," he said to the police.
Farzana, who had married 45-year-old Mohammad Iqbal a few months ago, was killed by nearly 20 members of her family, including her father and brothers on the court premises.
She had gone to the court with Iqbal to record her statement to defend him against allegations by her family that he kidnapped her and forced her to marry him.
She died on the spot after suffering critical head wounds while Iqbal managed to escape.
Meanwhile, Pakistan`s independent human rights body today said it was appalled over the over the murder of Farzana.
"HRCP is appalled by the manner of Farzana Parveen`s death just a few yards from the Lahore High Court yesterday. Her only crime was to marry of her own free will, a right that the law recognises for all adult citizens but one where the state has failed to prevent abuse and violence," Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said in a statement.
The HRCP said Farzana`s murder was no case of sudden provocation as several months had passed after her marriage. "The family had obviously come prepared to commit murder."
In 2013 alone, HRCP recorded the killing of nearly 900 women in "honour" crimes.
"These women were killed because the state did not confront this feudal practice supported by religiosity and bigotry," it said.
HRCP calls upon the government to unreservedly condemn this shameful crime and make sure that Parveen`s killers do not escape justice by glorifying their dastardly act in the name of honour.
Iqbal has said he would not compromise with the killers of his wife and fight the case in court of law.
