Fugitive Accused Adil Zaman Arrested At Peshawar Airport In Anchor Mureed Abbas Murder Case After 6 Years; Brother Atif Zaman Already Awarded Double Death Sentence

KARACHI / PESHAWAR : In a major development in the high-profile double murder of TV anchor Mureed Abbas, fugitive co-accused *Adil Zaman* has been arrested at Peshawar Airport after six years on the run, while his brother and prime accused *Atif Zaman* was sentenced to double death by a Karachi Sessions Court on *July 9, 2026*.

According to police sources, Adil Zaman had fled to Dubai after his bail was canceled by the Supreme Court of Pakistan. He was taken into custody at Peshawar Airport upon his return. Despite being arrested several days ago, he could not be shifted to Karachi due to delay in inter-provincial paperwork between KP and Sindh police.

*Background of the 2019 Double Murder:*

On *July 9, 2019*, BOL News anchor *Mureed Abbas, 34*, and his friend businessman *Khizar Hayat, 45*, were shot dead in *Khayaban-e-Bukhari, Defence Phase VI, Karachi*. Case was registered at *Darakhshan Police Station*.

Police investigation revealed the motive was a massive financial fraud:

– Mureed Abbas had invested *Rs. 5 million* in Atif Zaman’s tyre business and was demanding his money back.
– Investigation later revealed the dispute was part of a *Rs. 1 billion scam*. Atif Zaman had allegedly defrauded *at least 70 persons, including 30-40 media persons*, of around Rs. 500 million. He also owed *Rs. 170 million to a British woman* investor.
– Police said Atif was also involved in tyre smuggling with contacts in Balochistan.

On the day of murder, Atif called business partners to his office. He first shot Khizar Hayat near a chai dhaba at Chota Bukhari, then went to his office at Bukhari Commercial and shot Mureed Abbas. After the double murder, Atif attempted suicide and was found injured. He was shifted to South City Hospital.

*Legal Journey:*

– Initially arrested, both brothers were booked. An Anti-Terrorism Court dropped terrorism charges on *Sept 30, 2019* and transferred case to Sessions Court.
– *Adil Zaman’s Role:* According to eyewitnesses *Umer Rehan and Osama*, Adil Zaman was present at the crime scene with Atif. The pistol used was licensed in Adil’s name. He was initially granted bail by Sindh High Court.
– On *September 10, 2020*, a 3-member bench of *Supreme Court at Karachi Registry* revoked Adil’s bail, observing that eyewitness identification and arms license proved his presence as co-accused. The SC declared SHC bail order null and void and ordered his immediate arrest. *Adil managed to escape from court premises after the order and fled to Dubai*, and was declared proclaimed offender / absconder. Non-bailable warrants were repeatedly issued.
– The trial against Atif continued at Judicial Complex inside Karachi Central Jail.
– On *July 9, 2026*, Additional District and Sessions Court (South) sentenced *Atif Zaman to double death* – one for each murder – plus Rs. 500,000 compensation to each victim’s heirs, and 7 years imprisonment and Rs. 50,000 fine for illegal weapon. Court also issued *perpetual / permanent arrest warrants* for Adil Zaman.

*Latest Arrest:*

Now after six years, Adil Zaman has been arrested at Peshawar Airport. Police say he will be shifted to Karachi after completion of formalities, where his dormant trial file will be reopened.

The case was pursued on behalf of complainant – Mureed’s wife *Anchor Zara Abbas* – by human rights lawyer *Advocate Jibran Nasir* along with Daniyal Muhammad Hussain.

The arrest marks closure of the fugitive chapter in one of Pakistan’s most closely watched cases involving murder of a journalist.