RAWALPINDI, August 1: Major breakthroughs have surfaced in the ongoing investigation into the alleged honour killing of Sidra Bibi, as a rickshaw driver, Khayal Muhammad, confessed to his involvement and turned state witness. Simultaneously, the initial postmortem report has confirmed that the victim died due to suffocation caused by strangulation, with no signs of external physical injuries.
According to police and judicial sources, forensic samples from the deceased have been sent to a laboratory in Lahore, with results expected by the end of August. The investigation team has cited these forensic findings as crucial in confirming the manner of death and identifying those involved in the murder.
Duty Civil Judge Samrah Waheed presided over the recent hearing, during which six suspects were presented. The court approved a four-day physical remand for them, while Khayal Muhammad was sent to Adiala Jail under judicial custody. Muhammad testified that although he is a professional rickshaw driver, the body was not transported in his vehicle. Instead, it was moved using a loader rickshaw allegedly owned by Mani Gul, the victim’s first husband.
According to Muhammad, the killing was premeditated and carried out during a jirga convened at the residence of Ismatullah Khan. He claimed that Sidra Bibi was suffocated using a pillow, and key family members, including her father Arab Gul, brother, father-in-law, and first husband Mani Gul, were present during the act.
The investigating officer requested a seven-day physical remand for the suspects to recover the murder weapon—the pillow—and the loader rickshaw. However, the defence argued that, since the postmortem showed no signs of physical torture, prolonged custody was unnecessary. The court subsequently ordered five of the suspects into judicial remand.
The judge also raised concerns over the concealment of suspects’ faces in court, instructing law enforcement to reveal their identities inside the courtroom due to the public interest in this high-profile case.
The court has directed the investigation team to complete the case challan before the next hearings scheduled for August 4 and August 15. The case continues to draw public scrutiny as authorities work to ensure justice is served.
