Rawalpindi court extends physical remand of accused in honour killing case

A sessions court in Rawalpindi on Monday heard a murder case involving the killing of a married woman allegedly on the orders of a jirga, 24NewsHD TV reported on Tuesday. 

The police presented six accused before the court, requesting a seven-day extension of their physical remand to further the investigation.

The case, which has stirred public outrage, centers on the alleged extrajudicial decision made by a jirga that led to the woman's murder.

Among the six individuals arrested and presented in court were Saleem Gul, Afani Gul, Arab Gul, and Ismatullah, who is said to be the head of the jirga.

The victim’s former husband, Zia-ur-Rehman, and her brother, Zafarullah Khan, are also among the accused.

The police, seeking more time to investigate the suspects and recover additional evidence, requested a seven-day extension in physical remand.

However, judicial magistrate Shama Yaseen granted a four-day remand instead, ordering the suspects to remain in police custody during this period.

The magistrate also directed the police to present all six suspects before the court again on August 9, when further proceedings in the case will take place.

It is pertinent to mention here that the case has sparked renewed debate over the role of jirgas, especially when they take justice into their own hands by making life-altering decisions, including those leading to so-called "honour killings."