Murder Case
On Wednesday, Inam ur Rahim, the father of Sarah Inam, a Canadian national allegedly murdered by her husband in Islamabad about a year ago, categorically rejected any possibility of a settlement with the defence. Rahim also accused the defence of causing delays in the case’s conclusion.
Rahim addressed journalists outside an Islamabad court where a hearing for the murder case took place, stating, “The culprit should be punished. We do not want to discuss any compromise. Please don’t spread such rumors.”
The primary suspect in the case, Shahnawaz Amir, Sara’s husband and the son of renowned journalist Ayaz Amir, remains in police custody.
Police arrested him on September 23 last year, accusing him of murdering his wife at an Islamabad farmhouse, one day after her arrival from Dubai, where she had been working.
Initially, authorities remanded Shahnawaz to police custody one day after arresting him, repeatedly extending the duration of his physical remand. While his father was discharged from the case, Shahnawaz subsequently faced judicial remand.
His mother, Sameena Shah, named as a co-accused, received post-arrest bail in November last year. However, on December 5, authorities indicted both Shahnawaz and his mother in the case.
In January, Dr. Bushra Ashraf, who conducted Sara’s post-mortem, informed an Islamabad court that the victim had multiple fractures on her head.
In July, Shahnawaz’s lawyer completed the cross-examination of Sara’s father, Inamur Rahim, and her uncle, Ikramur Rahim.
Inamur Rahim, speaking to the media, also raised concerns about the defence lawyer’s frequent absence from hearings, which contributed to the delays in the proceedings. He added that “political reasons” also played a role in the delays.
However, he expressed satisfaction with the court’s handling of the case.
Progress in the Hearing of Sarah Inam Murder Case
In the federal capital, sessions Judge Azam Khan presided over the murder case’s hearing, where he presented Shahnawaz before the court. Inam ur Rahim and Shahnawaz’s father, Ayaz, were also in attendance.
Both prosecution lawyer Rao Abdul Raheem and defence counsel Basharatullah appeared before the court.
However, Shahzad Town Station House Officer (SHO) Nawazish Ali Khan, who had filed the case and was a witness, was absent.
The prosecution lawyer informed the court that the SHO’s absence was due to ill health, leading to the adjournment of the hearing until September 21.
The Case
In September, the police took action in the murder case, registering a first information report (FIR) themselves. Shahzad Town Station House Officer (SHO) Nawazish Ali Khan initiated the FIR under Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Subsequently, Section 109 was added, leading to proceedings against Shahnawaz’s parents. The police acted on an application by Sara’s uncle, alleging Shahnawaz’s involvement with his parents in the murder. Shahnawaz admitted to the crime, leading to the recovery of the victim’s body and the murder weapon.
Forensic analysis followed at the Poly Clinic.
