Rawalpindi: Pakistani television journalist Rabia Ahsan was found dead at her home in Gulshanabad area here on Sunday.
Rabia’s husband Ahsan Tahir has been into custody by police, and the suspected weapon seized.
As per the First Information Report (FIR) copy shared on social media, 41-year-old Rabia was shot dead in her bedroom at around 3 pm. Her mother and sister, who lived with her, were in the lawn at the time of the incident.
Pakistani news outlet Samaa reported that Rabia’s husband confessed to killing her.
Ahsan’s sister Alwina rushed to the bedroom on hearing the gunshot, and found Rabia lying on the floor in a pool of blood, with her husband holding a pistol.
Upon reaching the crime spot, police carried out an external physical examination and found a bullet wound below Rabia’s neck and another wound on the right side of her back.
Punjab Forensic Science Authority (PFSA) personnel recovered the murder weapon, a .30-bore pistol, and ammunition from the scene.
During questioning, Tahir told police that the pistol went off accidentally. He also claimed that he did not know it was loaded, Dawn reported.
Tahir failed to produce a valid licence or permit for the pistol during questioning.
A case of murder under Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) has been registered, and a thorough investigation is underway.
A mother of two daughters, Rabia worked for TV channel 92 News as a news anchor and presenter. Her husband is a deputy director at the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF).
Pakistan’s First Lady Aseefa Bhutto-Zardari condemned the violence, expressing “deep sadness over the killing”. She called for an impartial investigation into the incident.
The First Lady recalled the killing of Hina Javed, another working woman.
“Less than three months ago, Hina Javed was killed and the outcome of the investigation into her case is still awaited. Such incidents demand serious attention and accountability. Women must be able to live and work without fear for their lives,” Aseefa said.
