Land Dispute Turns Deadly in Khushab: Brother Kills Brother Over Property

KHUSHAB – July 2025:
A land conflict between two brothers in a rural area near Khushab took a tragic turn on Monday evening, resulting in one brother losing his life. The heartbreaking event has shocked the local community and sparked discussions about the growing number of family disputes over land ownership.

The Incident

According to local police officials, the quarrel began when two brothers—residents of Mohallah Rehmatabad in Khushab—got into a heated argument over a piece of inherited agricultural land. Witnesses claim the younger brother, 38-year-old Aslam, had been pressuring his elder sibling, 45-year-old Akram, to transfer the ownership of the land to him. The elder brother reportedly refused, which led to tensions escalating over the past several months.

On Monday evening, the argument reached a tragic climax when Aslam allegedly attacked Akram with a sharp weapon. The wounded brother was taken to the district hospital, where doctors confirmed he had already passed away.

Family and Neighbors in Shock

Residents are struggling to come to terms with the horrifying event. Family members described the two brothers as having a close bond in their earlier years, but disagreements over property slowly created a deep divide between them.

“Our family is shattered. We never thought such a thing could happen over a piece of land,” said a cousin of the deceased.

Neighbors said the two had frequent arguments over the division of land after the death of their father last year. Although village elders attempted to intervene, the dispute kept intensifying.

Police Action

The Khushab police responded swiftly and reached the spot soon after being alerted. According to Station House Officer (SHO) Malik Tariq, an FIR (First Information Report) has been registered, and Aslam has been taken into custody.

“The accused was arrested within hours of the incident. We are investigating this case thoroughly. The weapon used in the attack has also been recovered,” said the SHO.

He added that the case would be sent to court soon and that justice would be served according to the law.

Increasing Land Disputes in Pakistan

This tragic event is one of many in recent years where land ownership has sparked violence within families. Experts say that land disputes, especially in rural Pakistan, are a major cause of family rifts and sometimes lead to criminal acts.

“Inheritance laws are not always clearly understood or followed. This leads to emotional and legal battles among family members,” said a local lawyer in Khushab.

Community Reactions

The community paid their final respects to Akram with funeral prayers held the next morning. Many residents expressed sorrow and demanded stronger steps to resolve land disputes legally rather than through violence.

“This tragedy doesn’t only affect the family — it has deeply shaken the entire community. A brother killing his own blood—this is not what our values teach us,” said village elder Haji Ghulam Rasool.

Another resident urged the government to take steps to educate people on inheritance laws and offer free mediation services to families dealing with disputes.

Government Must Intervene

Social activists in Punjab have also raised their voices, calling on the authorities to provide legal awareness about inheritance and property rights.

“Rural regions such as Khushab urgently require more legal assistance centers. People must know that there are peaceful ways to resolve such matters,” said activist Farzana Bibi.

She also suggested that local mosques and community centers can play a role in conflict resolution by offering counseling and inviting experts to talk about Islamic and legal ways to divide property.

Conclusion

The murder of a brother by his own sibling over land is a grim reminder of how serious property disputes can become if not resolved peacefully. It highlights the urgent need for legal awareness, family mediation, and better conflict management in rural areas.