Anchor Rabia’s husband gets four more days in remand

RAWALPINDI: A court on Tuesday extended the physical remand of Ahsan, the husband of slain television anchorperson Rabia Ahsan, by four days as police continued investigating her murder.

The suspect was presented before Senior Civil Judge Muhammad Nasrullah Wattoo after the completion of his initial one-day physical remand.

During the proceedings, the investigating officer requested a seven-day extension to question the suspect further and complete the investigation. The officer also briefed the court on the progress made in the case.

After reviewing the investigation record, the court noted that the suspect had been nominated in the first information report (FIR) and that a pistol had been recovered from his possession.

The court subsequently approved a four-day extension and directed police to present the suspect again on November 14. The investigating officer was also instructed to complete the investigation and submit the relevant record. No lawyer appeared on behalf of the accused during the hearing.

Meanwhile, investigators have decided to subject the suspect to a polygraph test amid alleged contradictions in his statements. According to the remand application, the test is scheduled to take place at the Punjab Forensic Science Agency in Lahore on Wednesday, November 11. Police expect to receive the findings on Saturday.

Rabia was shot dead at her residence in Rawalpindi’s Gulshanabad area on November 8. She was associated with 92 News and had previously co-hosted a current affairs programme with senior journalists Amir Mateen and Rauf Klasra.

According to the FIR registered at Saddar Beruni police station on the complaint of her brother, Khurram Ahmed, the victim’s mother and sister were present at the house when they heard a gunshot coming from the bedroom.

The complainant stated that his sister rushed towards the room and found Rabia lying on the floor in a pool of blood. Her husband was allegedly present nearby with a pistol in his hand.

Separately, reports have emerged that the complainant intends to withdraw the murder case. However, a senior police official said the matter would be for the trial court to decide if a formal withdrawal request was submitted.