Prime suspect in Wasim Akram accident granted pre-arrest bail

E-Paper | March 02, 2026

KARACHI: A sessions court in Karachi on Monday granted pre-arrest bail to Major (retd) Amirul Rehman, the prime suspect in the shooting incident involving former captain of Pakistan cricket team, Wasim Akram.

The suspect had submitted an interim pre-arrest bail application to sessions judge east Nadeem Ahmed Khan who granted him an interim bail against a surety bond of Rs30,000.

The bail is subject to confirmation or otherwise in the next hearing of the case on August 20. The court also issued a notice to the prosecutor for the next hearing in order to argue the defendant's bail plea.

Meanwhile, the judicial magistrate remanded the detained suspect named Altaf Ahmed in police custody for one week.

Read: Firing on Wasim’s car: Suspect held

Previously, Karachi-East DIG Munir Ahmed Shaikh had said that the held suspect was the driver of the car, which had hit the player’s car.

The incident took place after a minor accident when the shooter's car hit Wasim's Mercedes. When he asked the driver to pull over, a heated discussion ensued as the suspect who was sitting in the back seat came out of the car and fired a shot.

Also read: Bullet hits Wasim Akram's car after traffic accident spat

The fast bowler remained unhurt and the shooter hastily fled the scene when a crowd began to gather.

In the initial probe, the suspect told investigators that after the accident, a short exchange of heated words took place, followed by a gunshot fired at Wasim's vehicle.

Take a look: Police claims to have recovered car involved in Wasim Akram accident

Police on Saturday claimed having traced and recovered the car that was involved in the accident. The DIG East had said that police will send the seized car to a forensic laboratory to determine whether it had been in contact with the former cricket star's Mercedes.

Pakistan

Ishaq Tanoli is a Karachi-based reporter for Dawn with over 20 years of experience covering judicial and electoral affairs. His reporting focuses on the proceedings of the Supreme Court and Sindh High Court, as well as election matters. He can be found on X at @ishaqtanolihotm.

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Zahid Khan

Aug 10, 2015 05:31pm

Only Rs 30,000 What a Joke

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Harmony-1

Aug 10, 2015 05:34pm

If the major fired the shot then he needs to be punished.

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Karachi Wally

Aug 10, 2015 05:45pm

Major (retd) Amirul Rehman this country is not your father's estate, being ex Army men you should have consciousness of law rather than taking law in your hands. Tax payers have paid your salary all you life and now paying pension to you. We want you to behave and lead your life like a normal Pakistani. Don't you use your gun again!

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mustafa

Aug 10, 2015 05:45pm

Why the person who fired the trigger did not get arrested, the poor guard who happened to be in the car is in custody. Do some justice. Come on prime suspect if you have guts to fire the bullet, have some decency to bailout your guard also. The best way would be to repent and say sorry to Wasim and to the general public. Should realise what storm would have unleashed in the world if Wasim would have been hurt. And this surely would have dented our image and interests tremendously.

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NoFame

Aug 10, 2015 05:49pm

What? why the driver? why not the major? Isn't it a joke? this case wasnt about hitting someone's car - it was solely firing someone's car !! So remand goes for the poor driver? Oh God - where i'm living?

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Dr Ahmad - Melbourne

Aug 10, 2015 06:06pm

General Raheel Sharif should also pay some attention to these retired and retarded army officers who behave above the law. Waseem Bhai is pride of the nation and country who deserve our respect.

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M Akram

Aug 10, 2015 06:13pm

What a rot! Why and how a pre-arrest bail? Is he rich and famous - no he is a public servant and getting a hefty pension no doubt - an army Major , just as Wasim one day was lighting up Pakistan's name on the field of Support. This gentleman should face up to law and his responsibility to the nation and people of Pakistan.

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Prashant

Aug 10, 2015 06:23pm

@Karachi Wally Well said. But I guess in Pakistan army people consider themselves the supreme in Pakistan. And in other way it is true somewhat. The civilian administration and the people do not have any say or guts to protest or raise voice against the army, doesn't matter how stupid they may be. Anyway, all the best.

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Adil

Aug 10, 2015 06:32pm

has any of you ever been chased by Mercedes or a Land Cruiser? its pretty scary...and any sane person would fire a shot in the air to save himself or herself...pre emptive self defence...Wasim would have landed a punch or two if not for the gun

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Khan- USA

Aug 10, 2015 06:37pm

The rich owner of the car got the bail and the poor driver got the jail ! What a great judicial system !

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Faisal

Aug 10, 2015 06:41pm

Such quick action by the police !! They even got to the owner and the driver. The owner happens to be a retired army major. All this because it was Wasim Akram. Over a hundred cars are stolen every week and 1000 robbed in Karachi and the same police cannot do anything. So is the police only for the rich or highly connected ppl ?? I am a fan of Wasim Akram but this unfortunate incident has clearly exposed the true face of Karachi police.

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SHAHZ

Aug 10, 2015 06:45pm

disgraceful retd major , if you like to fire bullets protect our boundries. Firing after heated argument is no excuse. He should be tested in military courts so that no else can misuse power. Shame on our judicial system , powerful walks free, we are doomed

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Imad Qureshi

Aug 10, 2015 06:58pm

Oh so it's a major. I have been supporting this operation in Karachi but seems like MQM is right that they are being targeted and others let go. Why is major not under arrest yet?

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Ejaz

Aug 10, 2015 07:04pm

It is becoming more like a norm in Pakistan to settle the issues with guns. Retired Major should be charged with attempted murder and discharging the fire arm in public area (if this is consider a crime in Pakistan) endangering the well being of innocent by-standards. Yes, it is a travesty of justice in Pakistan, rich will be spared while poor will end up paying the price. The driver end up paying lots of money in terms of court cost and bribing the officials while the Major will use his contacts to be charged with lesser crime and may not spend a single day in jail. God Bless Pakistan.

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Atif Khan

Aug 10, 2015 07:17pm

Withdraw his pension payments. This may be a case for the military courts. Should still be considered a case if terrorism.

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Zia Khan

Aug 10, 2015 07:21pm

Major Retired Amirul Rehman did not become a gentleman officer even after long service in the army. Is there something wrong in the training ar the guy is a rogue element? He should have been very civilized in his interaction with a civilian no matter how heated was the conversation but what he did was to bring army in disrepute. GHQ should take notice of this and try him in the military court.

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parveez

Aug 10, 2015 07:22pm

It's a joke. Person who use a gun should not have bail like this. This person ran away from the shooting and broke the law. Yet the poor driver spent few days in prison.

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M Jamal

Aug 10, 2015 07:38pm

This case must be taught/studied in our higher educational institute and professional colleges to find out what is wrong in the system and the solutions.The behaviour of renowned sportsman,the retired government employee action,the uninfluencial common driver,the police action,the public behavior on the spot and in discussion, the Judiciary and lot more to come.It is a very interesting and four dimensional happening and many things will come out of the wrong doings in our country and from this we can draw some conclusions and start taking bold steps for the betterment of the society and the country.

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Malik khan

Aug 10, 2015 08:08pm

Army rules.

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Nazir Ahmed

Aug 10, 2015 08:09pm

@Zahid Khan He is a retired major. He will not appear in court.

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saeeds

Aug 10, 2015 08:16pm

Army Major and religious person they own Pakistan. Let them do what ever they want.

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Nazir Ahmed

Aug 10, 2015 08:18pm

@saeeds A Genius comment.

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Zack

Aug 10, 2015 09:34pm

This guy is an Army guy, nothing will happen to him. Look at the way he got pre arrest bail.. This is the justice in Pakistan of powerful people..

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Robbie

Aug 10, 2015 09:47pm

These retired Army personal's they think they are above the law, they are simply a disgrace to the institution. Will Raheel Sharif please take note of this and take action on these Ex-Army men.

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Arslan

Aug 10, 2015 09:48pm

This major will pay for it and will loose his arms licence issued by the army for sure. Army recently booked two retired Generals, and this guy is only a major.

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saurabh singh

Aug 10, 2015 10:01pm

highly undisciplined behavior by defense personnel. But the greater question is whether such elements are exception or the majority of army is like this. The answer we will get if army responds to this incident

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M.Saeed

Aug 10, 2015 11:45pm

This trigger happy ex-fouji needs a thorough court-martial and quickest exemplary punishment.

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Zia Khan

Aug 11, 2015 12:52am

The court should use such powers discreetly. How can w teach a lesson to the people who consider themselves above law if the courts provide them all the facilities to avoid investigation? Such court actions create hurdles in the process of investigation and negates timely delivery of justice. People were looking towards the court to see this man's bail rejected and handed over to the police. It could send a strong message to the individuals who float above law. Secondly, if the court was very considered about the well being of this man then a sue motto notice should have been taken to order release of already arrested individuals. Courts are not helping the society but criminals.

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Jaj

Aug 11, 2015 01:01am

This major should be demoted as a minor. As a punishment his real gun license should be cancelled and a fresh license issued for a toy gun preferably a water gun.

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Mustafa

Aug 11, 2015 02:23am

The Major who fired the shots has got the bail. The driver of the car is in the lock up. What an irony. Since when leaving after colliding (driver's fault) is worse than firing shots at other people's vehicle?

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Fuad

Aug 11, 2015 03:46pm

Serving or retired! Army officers are the untouchables in this country.

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Saleem Shahid

Aug 12, 2015 02:38am

Wasim Akram should say something about this. They arrested the driver and let the shooter walk away. He should demand proper justice to set the right example. If Wasim keeps quiet on making the poor man the escape goat then a;; hope is lost.

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