Lahore: The Punjab Prosecutor General, Chaudhry Irfan Sadiq Tarar, on Monday declared the murder of Fouzia Bibi in Rahim Yar Khan a high-profile case after investigators suspected an attempt to portray her alleged murder as suicide.
According to initial information, the incident occurred within the jurisdiction of Zahir Pir Police Station, where Fouzia Bibi was allegedly murdered before an attempt was made to give the incident the appearance of a suicide. Her father-in-law reportedly called the police emergency helpline 15 to inform authorities about the incident. The suspicious circumstances subsequently prompted investigators to examine the case from multiple angles.
Taking notice of the case, the prosecutor general summoned the investigating officer for a briefing and directed him to conduct the investigation strictly on merit and in a transparent manner, in accordance with modern scientific and forensic principles. He stressed that no aspect of the case should be overlooked.
He ordered that all available forensic, medical and other scientific evidence be collected and preserved immediately. Evidence recovered from the crime scene, along with all other relevant material, should be incorporated into the investigation, he directed.
Chaudhry Irfan Sadiq Tarar further instructed the investigating officer not to delay the probe unnecessarily and to prepare the challan on merit and submit it to the court at the earliest to ensure effective prosecution of the case.
He said allegedly murdering a woman and then attempting to portray the incident as suicide was a grave offence.
‘Such accused are a menace to society, and Punjab Prosecution will play its full role in ensuring that they are brought to justice in accordance with law, ‘ he said.
The prosecutor general directed investigators to closely examine every aspect of the case, particularly the alleged attempt to give the incident the appearance of suicide, evidence collected from the crime scene, forensic and medical reports, and statements of witnesses.
He said Punjab Prosecution was pursuing a zero-tolerance policy towards serious crimes against women. All available legal resources would be utilised to ensure justice for victims through strong, effective and merit-based prosecution, he added.
