KARACHI: Police on Sunday formally arrested a man on charges of killing his pregnant wife after it transpired that he misled investigators that she was killed by robbers over resistance two days ago.

Suspect Irfan had informed the police that he along with his wife, Saima, was passing through Faqeera Goth off Superhighway on his motorbike when armed robbers intercepted them and demanded their valuables. When Saima resisted the robbery bid, they shot her and fled.

SSP-East Dr Farrukh Raza told Dawn that during interrogation he changed his initial stance and said that during a domestic dispute, his wife took out a pistol and shot herself. However, the statement turned out to be a lie later, he added.

He said on the complaint of the victim’s brother, the police have formally arrested the suspect.

He said the police invoked Sections 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence, or giving false information to screen offender) and 311 (punishment after the right of Qisas is waived or compounded in cases of intentional murder) of the Pakistan Penal Code. Section 397 (robbery or dacoity, with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt) of the PPC mentioned in the FIR would be deleted as it was not a robbery related incident, the SSP said.

Besides, SSP Raza added that the police would add further relevant sections of the law after receiving medical reports from doctors as the victim was pregnant.

Published in Dawn, April 7th, 2025