Police in Rawalpindi have intensified their investigation into the suspected honour killing of 21-year-old Sidra Arab, focusing on her alleged second marriage. This new angle has prompted officers to travel to Muzaffarabad to question a man named Usman and his family.
Police Visit Muzaffarabad
A team led by Sub-Inspector Shoaib Ahmed arrived in Muzaffarabad to verify whether Sidra had secretly married Usman. Investigators aim to collect official documents and testimonies confirming the alleged marriage. Usman and his relatives will formally be added to the investigation. Police believe their accounts may help connect missing pieces in the case.
Suspected Honour Killing
Sidra was reportedly murdered by her family in the Pirwadhai area of Rawalpindi. Investigators suspect the murder was an act of honour killing. So far, police have detained seven suspects, all believed to be family members or close associates of the victim.
Arrests and Custody Status
The suspects in police custody include Ismatullah, Ziaur Rehman, Arab Gul, Amani Gul, Zafarullah, Saleh Muhammad, and rickshaw driver Khayal Muhammad. Their physical remand is expected to end on Friday, August 1.
Two more individuals—gravedigger Rashid Mehmood and Saifur Rehman, a cemetery committee secretary—are being held in judicial custody at Adiala Jail. They allegedly played roles in burying Sidra’s body without informing authorities.
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Digital Evidence and Technical Barriers
Police recovered CCTV footage from the residence of one of the suspects, Ismatullah. However, investigators are facing technical issues decoding the DVR system. Digital forensic experts have now been engaged to retrieve crucial footage from July 11 to July 17, the period surrounding Sidra’s disappearance and death.
Key Physical Evidence Collected
Officers have gathered multiple pieces of physical evidence in the case. Among the seized items are the loader rickshaw reportedly used to transport Sidra’s body and the tools employed to dig her grave. Police are still searching for the pillow allegedly used to suffocate Sidra during the killing.
Forensic Testing Underway
Authorities exhumed Sidra’s body earlier this month and collected biological samples. These have been sent to the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) in Lahore. The results will help confirm the cause of death and whether the account provided by the suspects matches forensic findings.
Expected Court Presentation
With the suspects’ physical remand concluding on August 1, police will present them in court and update the judge on the investigation’s progress. Officials say more arrests may follow depending on the testimonies and forensic results.
Public Outcry and Broader Implications
Sidra’s case has sparked fresh debate about honour killings in Pakistan. In 2024 alone, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) recorded over 400 such cases. Activists argue that the existing legal framework does not do enough to prevent or punish these crimes. The involvement of multiple family members in Sidra’s murder has again highlighted the cultural norms that allow such violence to persist.
As police work to piece together the final timeline of events, Sidra’s case continues to draw national attention. Investigators hope that upcoming forensic findings and witness testimonies from Muzaffarabad will bring them closer to securing justice for the young woman.
Police sources also revealed that Sidra may have attempted to seek legal protection before her death, though no formal complaint was lodged. Authorities are now examining mobile phone records, call logs, and digital communications to trace her final interactions and understand the events leading up to her disappearance.
Investigators are also looking into whether any community elders or local mediators were aware of Sidra’s second marriage. Their possible role in suppressing or mishandling the matter is under review.
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