ISLAMABAD: Following to the arrest of senior journalist Ayaz Amir, a local Islamabad court approved a one-day physical remand of him over his alleged involvement in murder of daughter-in-law at a Chak Shahzad residence. On Friday, police arrested  journalist's son Shahnawaz Amir for allegedly killing his wife Sara Inam (37) a day after she arrived from Dubai where she had been working.

 On Saturday, Islamabad Police produced Shahnawaz in court of Judicial Magistrate Mubasher Hasan Chishti and obtained his two-day physical remand. Police had on Saturday also approached a local court seeking arrest warrants for Ayaz. He was taken into custody later in day after warrants were issued by court. At hearing, Ayaz and his son Shahnawaz, prime suspect were produced before Judge Zahid Tirmizi. Journalist informed court that he had apprised police of murder, saying police did not even had information about his farmhouse's location.

His lawyer said Ayaz was not even nominated in case. However, police insisted that case was a high-profile one and pertained to a murder of a Canadian national. Investigation officer requested court to grant a five-day physical remand of journalist. Ayaz expressed his disappointment before court, saying he had been arrested "despite fact that I provided information to police". "Shahnawaz is a suspect and I have no sympathies for him," he told court. Court asked police reasons for arresting journalist. "Ayaz Amir was present in wedding of his son in Chakwal and he concealed facts from his latest daugther-in-law," police responded. Ayaz negated claim, saying he had informed deceased about his son's previous marriage. "Shahnawaz is addicted to drugs," he said while refraining from defending his son in court.

After hearing arguments, court granted a one-day physical remand of journalist. Meanwhile, police became complainant in case against Shahnawaz Amir despite availability of a legal heir Sara Inam's uncle and complaint submitted by him in connection with murder of his niece. Autopsy by police was also conducted in a discreet manner and an FIR was registered on complaint of a police official in early hours of Saturday.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 26 2022

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