RAWALPINDI, July 17: A woman was shot dead allegedly by her brother for delaying the preparation of food during Sehri in Pindora (New Town) on Wednesday, police said.

Ms Shabana Parveen, 23, had married Khurram Pervez Akhtar, a taxi driver, three months ago and had come to visit her parent on Tuesday to spend a few days with them.

Early Wednesday morning, she was preparing food for Sehri when her brother, Rashid Mehmood, exchanged hot words with her for delaying the food.

Khurram Pervez, the victim’s husband, said in his statement that he tried to intervene when he saw

Rashid Mehmood beating his sister.

Moments later, Rashid went to his room and pulled out a pistol from underneath his pillow and shot his sister, causing critical injuries.

Shabana Parveen was shifted to the Holy Family Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.

The police investigating officer (IO) told Dawn that a search for the killer had been launched as Rashid had escaped from the scene shortly after killing his sister.

“She was shot in the head which caused her death,” the IO said, adding that initial investigations suggested that the alleged killer was mentally ill.