ABBOTTABAD: The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Abbottabad on Friday handed over all four arrested suspects in the Dr Warda Mushtaq abduction and murder case to police on an additional three-day physical remand, rejecting a police plea for a 20-day extension.
ATC Judge Jehangir Khan issued the order after the expiry of the earlier three-day remand, during which the accused - Ridha Waheed, her husband Abdul Waheed and co-accused Nadeem and Pervez - were produced before the court under extraordinary security arrangements. Police officials requested further remand for extensive investigation, but the court granted only three more days.
According to officials, all four suspects have been booked under sections 7 ATA, 365, 302, 200, 201, and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code, covering kidnapping, murder, concealment of evidence, and terrorism charges. The three male suspects were brought to court with their faces concealed under large caps, while female accused Ridha was produced in a full face veil.
Police also presented details of key recoveries made so far, including Ridha’s mobile phone, the vehicle used to transport her, the carry van allegedly used in the offence, five cheques issued by Dr Warda, and 25 tola of gold linked to the case. Following the hearing, the police escorted the suspects back amid tight security.
Meanwhile, a major breakthrough has yet to be achieved regarding the arrest of Shamraiz, another key suspect believed to have played a central role in the crime. Despite nine days of continuous operations, police have been unable to trace him. According to investigators, all mobile numbers used by Shamraiz were switched off, and three technical and special police teams were conducting raids at multiple locations across Abbottabad and beyond. Officials said it remains unclear whether he has gone underground locally or fled elsewhere.
In a parallel development, the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) constituted by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has formally begun its probe. The JIT - led by Chairman Provincial Inspection Team Khayam Hassan and including AIG Establishment Sonia Shamroz among other members - visited the residence of the deceased doctor on Friday.
During the visit, the JIT members expressed condolences, offered prayers for the victim, and collected key information from the family. They assured the bereaved family that the investigation would be conducted in a transparent, comprehensive, and professional manner, with the final report to be submitted within the stipulated five-day timeframe.
Sources said the family shared important evidence and concerns related to the investigation, while the JIT pledged that every angle of the case would be thoroughly examined and that all perpetrators would be brought to justice. Later JIT started investigation at Police rest house and recorded statements of different people to trace the case. The JIT has been focusing on the status of alleged multiple meetings before the incident to settle the gold dispute.
The murder of 41-year-old dr Warda Mushtaq has sparked intense public outrage, with demands for swift accountability and a transparent inquiry. The investigation continues to expand as authorities pursue all leads, particularly the arrest of the absconding accused.
