Pregnant singer shot dead on stage in Pakistan

A pregnant singer has been shot dead while singing at a family celebration in Pakistan.

Samira Sindhu, 28, who was eight months pregnant, is reported to have been killed by a man who shot her because she would not stand up while performing.

However, he said he shot her by accident while firing in the air, according to reports.

The singer's husband, Ashiq Sammoo, told police a man at the event in a village near the city of Larkana had pointed a gun at his wife and "threateningly ordered her to stand up and sing" reported the BBC.

When she said she was pregnant and could not stand, the man shot her, he said.

A man has been arrested in connection with the death and is in custody.

Footage shared on social media show a woman in a long blue dress standing up and singing while being showered with bank notes by two or three men as is tradition.

Three shots can be heard, and she then suddenly falls to the ground.

A post mortem on the singer, and blood alcohol test on the alleged shooter will be examined in court, said the BBC.

Sindhu had released at least eight albums of Sindhi folk and Sufi music before her death, and was best known for her performances at family functions.

Her death has sparked protests by other musicians in the country.