Funeral prayers for television anchorperson Rabia Ahsan, who was shot dead at her home in Rawalpindi, were offered at the Central Jamia Mosque. Police have arrested her husband as investigations into the incident continue.
The case was registered under Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code at Sadar Bairooni Police Station on the complaint of the victim’s brother, Khurram.
According to the FIR, Khurram said he received a phone call informing him that his sister had been shot by her husband. When he reached the house, he found Rabia lying in a pool of blood. She had already died.
Police Investigate Circumstances Of Shooting
Police said preliminary investigations had revealed that Rabia and her husband, Ahsan, had been married for approximately 14 years. Initial statements from family members, including the couple’s daughters, Rabia’s mother and sisters, did not indicate any known domestic dispute or disagreement between the couple.
According to preliminary information shared by police, a 30-bore pistol was found among clothes while the family was rearranging seasonal clothing in the house.
A domestic employee reportedly told investigators that Ahsan was holding the pistol when it discharged. The husband subsequently claimed that the shooting was accidental.
However, police said all possible motives, including murder, would be examined as part of the investigation. No conclusion has been reached regarding the circumstances of the shooting.
Post-Mortem And Forensic Investigation
The initial post-mortem report stated that Rabia sustained a gunshot wound to the lower front part of her neck, which proved fatal.
Her body was recovered from a bedroom at her residence in Gulshan Abad, near Adiala Road, according to police.
Police also recovered a 30-bore pistol from the scene, which they said appeared to be unlicensed. The weapon and other forensic samples have been sent for laboratory examination.
Rawalpindi City Police Officer (CPO) Hassan Mushtaq Sukhera said police had launched an investigation after receiving information about the killing. He confirmed that the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) team had visited the scene and collected evidence.
Police confirmed that Rabia’s husband, Ahsan, had been taken into custody in connection with the case.
Uzma Bukhari Comments On Investigation
In a statement on X, Punjab Information Minister Uzma Bukhari said Ahsan had told police during questioning that the gun had discharged accidentally.
She added that PFSA teams were collecting evidence from the crime scene and that the investigation and legal proceedings were ongoing.
Police said further action would be taken after receiving the forensic findings, adding that all aspects of the case would be investigated.