Pregnant artist in Pakistan shot dead after she refused to stand while singing

A local Pakistani artist was shot dead in Sindh's Larkana district after she reportedly refused to entertain a request to stand during her singing performance. Her husband has now demanded that the man who fired at her be charged on double murder count - one for murdering his wife and the other for killing his unborn child.

According to a report in Dawn, the singer - Samina Samoon - was in Kanga village for an event where she was singing for her audience. Mid-way through her performance, a man - identified as Tarique Ahmed Jatoi - asked her to stand. When his request was turned down - apparently because Samoon was pregnant, an intoxicated Jatoi allegedly shot her dead. Covered in blood, Samoon collapsed on stage immediately.

Although the audience was left stunned, many people came forward to take the 24-year-old to a local hospital where she was declared brought dead.

Police officials have arrested Jatoi.