A Pakistani man was charged for allegedly setting his wife on fire after she insulted his second wife, Gulf news reported on Monday.

The incident happened on Sunday evening in Thatta district, east of Karachi, when the man, identified as Qasim Maachi, set his wife on fire after she had an argument with his second wife.

The woman’s body was burnt to 50 per cent; doctors have said her life in danger. "The upper body of the woman is burnt badly and now she has been taken to Karachi for further treatment," a police official told Gulf News.

After interrogation, Qasim Maachi admitted committing the crime.

Attacks involving acid or fire are a plague in Pakistan. Every year around 200 attacks happen in the country, most of them in southern Punjab and northern Sindh, according to Gulf news. Studies have showed that 70% of acid victims are women and 30% are men.

A new law that punishes crimes involving acid was passed in December and provides for a maximum punishment of life imprisonment.