Polygamist beaten by wives

A Pakistani polygamist was beaten by two of his wives after they believed he was planning a secret fifth marriage.

Muslim Mian Ishaq was attending a wedding with his third wife, Fauzia, when he was approached by his other two wives - who accused him not only of secretly being married to a fourth wife, but furthermore planning on wedding a fifth.

The wives, Mehvish and Uzma, then began overturning tables at the wedding, threatening their husband and beating him with their shoes until police intervened.

Uzma said: "We know that he is trying to marry a fifth time and he should be publicly humiliated for his behaviour."

Mian, a soap factory owner, denied his spouses' claims, however, saying: "They have already invented one wife for me and now are trying to convince people that I am trying for a fifth.

"This is a blatant lie. I am willing to swear on my life that I only have three wives. I have three wives and this is in accordance with Islam."

To make the matter more complicated, Mian's first two wives are currently locked in a legal battle as they are trying to divorce him.

In Islam a man may have up to four wives, but must treat each one of them well and equally.