She survived the acid attack, but not the ensuing injustice

Fakhra Younus, an acid attack survivor who committed suicide in Italy, was laid to rest at the Gizri graveyard on Sunday after her funeral prayers were offered at the Edhi Centre in Sohrab Goth.
Her body was flown in from Italy earlier in the day. Humanitarian worker Abdul Sattar Edhi, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leaders and a large number of people from all walks of life participated in last rites of the acid attack survivor, who ended her life after fighting for justice for 12 years following the painful experience.
Younus committed suicide by leaping off the sixth floor of a building in Italy where she was living as a “civil unacceptable person” after going through the painful experience on May 14, 2000. She was provided shelter in Italy after her husband, Bilal Khar, former MPA and the son of former Punjab governor Mustafa Khar, threw acid on her face after they split up.
Younus was sent to Italy for treatment, where she had 39 reconstructive surgeries.
Khar used his political influence to evade arrest and absconded, while Younus’ family faced difficulty in registering an FIR against him. On October 31, 2002, Khar was eventually arrested and charged with attempted murder under Sections 324, 326 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code, butlater released on bail. On December 16, 2003, a district and sessions court acquitted Khar.
A large number of people including representatives of welfare organisations and MQM ministers were present at the Karachi airport to receive Younus’ body.
MQM’s female activists staged a protest at the airport demanding the Supreme Court to take suo moto action against Khar.
Younus’ sisters, the Italian ambassador and Tehmina Durrani, the former stepmother of Younus’ husband, were also present to receive the body.
Pakistani lawmakers and people from different segments of society have expressed their grief and sorrow over the horrendous fate of the acid attack survivor. MQM chief Altaf Hussain requested the president and the prime minister to order steps for bringing the culprit responsible for destroying Younus’ life to justice.