ABBOTTABAD: The Abbottabad Bench of the Peshawar High Court has dismissed a petition filed by prime accused Waheed Billa, who had challenged the terrorism charges in the murder case of Dr Warda.
With the petition dismissed, the case will continue before the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC).
According to the case details provided, Dr Warda left the emergency department of Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad, with her friend Rida on December 4, 2025. Her body was later recovered from the Lari Banota forest on December 8.
The case alleges that Dr Warda had entrusted 67 tolas of gold jewellery to her friend Rida Waheed and that she was killed after seeking its return. These allegations remain subject to determination through the judicial process.
One of the suspects, identified as Shamrez, was reportedly killed in a police encounter. Other accused persons, including Waheed Billa and Rida Waheed, remain in custody.
The murder triggered protests by the Provincial Doctors Association, Abbottabad, which called for a transparent investigation and justice. The provincial government subsequently formed an inquiry committee on the orders of the chief minister, and the committee submitted its report.
On Monday, a division bench of the Peshawar High Court’s Abbottabad Bench rejected Waheed Billa’s petition seeking to have the trial shifted from the Anti-Terrorism Court and to remove the terrorism-related charges.
Following the ruling, Provincial Doctors Association Abbottabad President Dr Moazzam Khan and General Secretary Dr Waqar welcomed the decision, saying they hoped the case would proceed toward its legal conclusion and that the facts would be established through the judicial process.
They said their primary demand was not revenge against any individual but transparent legal proceedings, a comprehensive investigation and justice based on evidence and law.
The association expressed hope that proceedings before the Anti-Terrorism Court would also be conducted on merit and that justice would be ensured for Dr Warda’s family and all parties involved.
Advocate Wajihi Khan is representing Waheed Billa in the case.