Eight Arrested in Rawalpindi Honour Killing Case

News Desk

Rawalpindi: A suspected case of honour killing has emerged from the Fauji Colony area of Rawalpindi, where a young woman named Sidra was allegedly murdered by her in-laws and buried without any legal procedures.

Initially reported as a kidnapping case on July 21 by her husband, Ziaur Rehman, the investigation has since taken a disturbing turn.

In the First Information Report (FIR), Rehman accused Sidra, whom he married on January 17, of fleeing with gold and cash and having links with another man, identified as Usman. The complaint also called for legal action over what he termed an unlawful marriage.

However, police sources now claim that Sidra was allegedly killed by her in-laws in the name of honour and buried secretly. Acting on suspicions and emerging evidence, law enforcement officials sought and received court approval to exhume the body for a postmortem to determine the cause of death.

Area Magistrate Qamar Abbas Tarar issued notices to the concerned parties and directed that the exhumation process be conducted under official supervision.

The Station House Officer (SHO) and Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) have been instructed to ensure security around the grave until the exhumation is carried out. All involved parties have been summoned to court on Saturday.

At least eight individuals have been arrested so far, including Sidra’s husband and father-in-law. Police officials have vowed to ensure justice and hold all those involved accountable.

The incident has drawn strong condemnation from civil society and political leaders. Senator Sherry Rehman expressed deep outrage over the killing, criticizing traditional dispute-resolution systems such as jirgas.

“Women are being killed under the umbrella of jirga decisions and customs. This is poison for our society,” she said, demanding an end to such unlawful and inhumane practices.

“Perpetrators of honour killings should be treated like terrorists, with zero tolerance and no leniency.”

The case is under investigation, and authorities say efforts are ongoing to uncover the full facts behind Sidra’s death.