A Rawalpindi court has granted police one-day physical remand of Ahsan Tahir, husband of television anchorperson Rabia Ahsan, in connection with her murder. Police had requested seven days to interrogate the suspect, who is accused of shooting his wife at their home.
Ahsan Tahir was produced before a Rawalpindi court on Monday, where the judge approved his physical remand for one day and directed police to present him again on Tuesday.
Police had requested seven days of custody, telling the court that the suspect was allegedly involved in his wife’s killing and needed to be interrogated as part of the investigation.
Following the hearing, Ahsan was taken back to Sadar Bairuni Police Station.
Murder Case Registered
The case was registered on the complaint of Rabia Ahsan’s brother, Khurram Ahmed, who accused her husband of shooting her at their residence in Gulshanabad Sector II, along Adiala Road, on Sunday.
According to the first information report (FIR), Rabia’s mother and sister were sitting in the lawn at around 2:30pm when they heard a gunshot coming from a bedroom.
Her sister rushed inside and found Rabia lying on the floor in a pool of blood. The FIR stated that Ahsan was present in the room holding a pistol.
According to the complaint, Ahsan told police that he had fired at his wife with the same weapon. Police also stated that he had failed to produce a licence or permit for the pistol.
The case was registered under Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which deals with murder, and Section 13(2)(a) of the Punjab Arms Amendment Ordinance.
TV Anchor, Family Among Tourists Swept Away by Flash Flood in Babusar
Forensic Investigation Underway
A team from the Punjab Forensic Science Agency visited the crime scene and collected evidence to assist the investigation.
Rabia’s body was shifted to a hospital for a post-mortem examination. The forensic findings are expected to form part of the investigation.
Police sources said the suspect was a Grade-18 officer at the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation.
Journalist Community Mourns
Rabia Ahsan, 41, was associated with 92 News and had presented her last programme on a mainstream television channel on Saturday night, just hours before her death.
News of her killing prompted an outpouring of grief among colleagues and members of the journalist community.
She is survived by two daughters and also operated a private salon in Islamabad.
Her mother and sisters were reportedly present at the house when the incident occurred.
The investigation is continuing, while police are expected to produce the suspect before the court again on Tuesday following the completion of his one-day physical remand.
