Police on Thursday arrested a colleague of the journalist, who was shot dead earlier this month in Rawalpindi, over suspicion of his involvement in the latter’s murder, DawnNewsTV reported.

Anjum Muneeb Raja worked as a sub-editor in a local daily in Blue Area, Islamabad, and was on his way back home on a motorbike when two riders intercepted and shot him.

The arrested accused, Qaiser Rehman, used to work with Muneeb in the same organisation as a pagemaker, said police.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations Mohammad Bin Ashraf said on March 2, when Muneeb was returning home from work, Rehman chased and shot him six times — killing him on the spot.

Sharing details, SSP Ashraf said Rehman took advantage of the deserted road and fled the scene on a motorcycle soon after killing the journalist.

See: Pakistan rated among most dangerous countries for journalists

Police believe Rehman had strained relations with Muneeb which led to the latter's murder.

"The Civil Lines police was able to identify the killer using modern investigative techniques including CCTV footage," the SSP said.

Moreover, Potohar Division SP Syed Ali said the accused is a resident of Alipur Farash town in Islamabad and was working with the deceased journalist since December last year.

The SP further revealed that Rehman bought the pistol from a man living near Khanna Pul area. "The man who sold him the pistol will also be arrested," he said.

The murder weapon has been recovered by the police, the SP added.

Anjum is survived by a five-year-old son. He used to teach at a school in the morning and worked as a sub-editor in the evening.