ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar on Tuesday took suo motu notice of the murder of Aasma Rani, a third-year medical student, in Kohat for refusing a marriage proposal. The CJP directed the Inspector General Police Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Salahuddin Mehsud to submit a report in the court over the incident within next 24 hours. On January 27, the prime accused in the case, Mujahid Afridi, and his accomplice, Sadiqullah, reportedly opened fire at Aasma who was visiting her family in Kohat. Mujahid and Sadiqullah had fled away from the crime scene just after committing the murder. While taking notice of the case, the chief justice said it was being said that the performance of KP Police was far better. “However, the investigation into the Aasma’s murder has put question marks over it. It seems there is no mechanism set up for investigation. How the suspect was able to flee the country?” he questioned. According to reports, the victim had received three bullet injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she had identified Mujahid as the assailant before succumbing to her injuries on Sunday. Sadiqullah, who had been named in the first information report, was arrested on Tuesday morning after police conducted raids in Kohat, a report quoting District Police Officer Kohat Abbas Majid Marwat said. The arrest came a day after police confirmed that Mujahid had fled the country for Saudi Arabia from Benazir Bhutto Airport Islamabad on an Umrah visa right after the murder. According to police officials, Sadiqullah and Mujahid are brothers. Aasma’s family has alleged that Mujahid Afridi had issued threats to her in the past.
Published in Daily Times, January 31st 2018.
