BRADFORD MP Naz Shah has written to Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan after hearing that the former husband of beauty therapist Samia Shahid may be seeking to enter into the UK with his new wife.
Shah said it was her understanding that Muhammad Shakeel, who is the alleged murdered of Shahid, had a new British wife and they were planning to come to the UK.
In the letter, a copy of which was shared on Twitter on Saturday (27), Shah wrote: "Samia was raped and murdered in an alleged honour crime three years ago.
"Despite the accused having spent two years in custody and subsequently being released on bail, the case has faced significant delay and sadly for the victim’s husband the justice and closure that is desperately needed is being denied.
“I am further being led to believe that Mohammad Shakeel (ex-husband), who remains on bail for the rape and murder of Samia Shahid is seeking to enter the UK having married another British citizen.”
She added: “Whilst no justice has been provided and no trial has taken place, this news is extremely worrying and potentially dangerous.”
She also added that "justice delayed is justice denied."
The copies of the letter have been sent to home secretary Priti Patel and foreign secretary Dominic Raab. Shah has urged them to make representation to their counterparts in Pakistan regarding the matter.
Shahid, 28, from Manningham, Bradford, died in Pakistan in July 2016 after travelling to visit her father. She had been told was seriously ill.
Shahid's family had arranged her marriage to her first cousin, Mohammed Shakeel in February 2012 in Jhelum, in the Northern Punjab. However, she later obtained a divorce under Shariah law, then married Syed Mukhtar Kazim in Leeds. They later moved to Dubai to start a new life.
Shahid's family reportedly felt a sense of shame towards their daughter for divorcing her first husband.
Mukhtar Kazim claimed Shahid was murdered by her family because they rejected their marriage. On the basis of his complaint, Samia's father and Shakeel were arrested and sent to jail on remand.
Apsana Begum
