SAHIWAL: A young woman was shot dead on Saturday allegedly by her father-in-law in the courtroom of a judicial magistrate in Pakpattan, where she was to record her statement in a kidnap case.

Police sources say Tehreem (19), a resident of Malka Hans, was married to the son of Shah Nawaz, her maternal uncle, against her will as she wanted to marry her cousin, Zahid Abbas.

Two months back, Tehreem eloped with Zahid, while her father-in-law got registered a kidnap case against him (Zahid).

On Saturday, Tehreem had come to record her statement under section 164 of the PPC in the court of Judicial Magistrate Ijaz Mahmood, where her father-in-law shot her dead, and managed to escape despite police’s presence.

DPO Tariq Walayat, took immediate notice of the incident happening the same day when Punjab Chief Minster Mohsin Naqvi was due in Pakpattan. Later, he stated that the suspect was arrested within two hours of the murder incident.

Farid Nagar police registered a murder case against the suspect.

Sources say the autopsy was conducted at the Pakpattan District Headquarters Hospital.

bail: Additional District and Sessions Judge Rana Tariq Mahmood on Saturday granted bail to Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf-backed candidate Naeem Ibrahim contesting election from PP-196, Arifwala City.

Naeem was required to deposit a Rs100,000 surety bond.

Reports said Naeem Ibrahim’s supporters were gathered outside the Pakpattan district jail, awaiting his release. However, there are concerns among his supporters that he may be arrested by the police or the ACE in connection with another case.

Naeem Ibrahim emerged victorious in the 2018 election from Arifwala on a PTI ticket. He was held by officials of the regional anti-corruption establishment at Multan Airport upon his return from Dubai. Since then, he has been entangled in various corruption cases, undergoing trials in different courts.

Although Naeem obtained bail in one case, he was arrested in another. Despite his inability to actively campaign, PTI workers and supporters are conducting his electoral campaign.

BODY RECOVERED: The body of a missing youth was found one week after his disappearance from a Christian graveyard at village 21 EB, Arifwala tehsil.

Reports said Ahsan Toufeeq (25), a resident of Fazal Colony’s Chowk Kmharain, went missing a week ago. The Arifwala City Police registered a kidnapping case based on a complaint filed by his elder brother, Ihsan Toufeeq. Despite police efforts to locate the missing youth, his body was found in a graveyard on Saturday.

The Saddar police took custody of the body, which was then sent for autopsy, and initiated an investigation into the matter.

Published in Dawn, February 4th, 2024