Pakistan court orders seven-day physical remand for suspect in PAF officer's murder

A Pakistani anti-terrorism court on Monday remanded the main suspect in the killing of Pakistan Air Force Group Captain Asim Tariq into police custody for seven days.

Investigators are continuing to probe the fatal shooting in Islamabad, which drew nationwide attention after Tariq was killed while intervening to help a woman allegedly being harassed.

What happened to PAF officer Asim Tariq?

Tariq was shot dead in Islamabad on July 5 after confronting a man who was attempting to force a woman onto his motorcycle.

He was shot once in the chest and died at the scene, according to police and government officials.

What did the court decide on the suspect's remand?

Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain heard the case, before whom police produced the suspect, Saad Abbasi, and sought a 20-day physical remand to continue the investigation. The court granted a seven-day remand instead.

Prosecutor Naveed Kiani told the court that two eyewitnesses, identified as Kamran and Waseem, had picked out the suspect during an identification parade conducted at Adiala Jail.

What did the judge say to the suspect in court?

The suspect broke down in tears during the proceedings. Addressing him directly, Judge Zulqarnain said: "What is the point of crying now? You have caused a great loss to the country. You have destroyed an innocent family. You have no idea what a valuable asset of the country you have taken away. Will your tears bring him back?"

The court directed investigators to continue their inquiry and ordered police to produce the suspect again once the seven-day physical remand ends.