Suspect held for killing Lahore man over Umrah tickets, bike, and $107

Police in Pakistan’s second largest city Lahore arrested a man on Tuesday accused of killing a local resident, Riaz, in exchange for two Umrah pilgrimage tickets, a motorcycle, and 30,000 rupees ($107), authorities said.

The victim, Riaz, was fatally shot on New Year's Day while shopping with his wife in Sabzazar, a suburb of Lahore. Usman, also known as "Guru," was apprehended in connection with the killing.

“Riaz was struck by two bullets, hitting him in the abdomen and thigh,” police said in a statement. “He succumbed to his injuries later in the hospital.”

The arrest followed an investigation led by Superintendent Bilal Ahmed and overseen by Sub-Divisional Police Officer Amir Malik. Investigators used phone records, witness statements, CCTV footage, and other evidence to track Usman.

If convicted of murder, Usman could face the death penalty under Pakistan’s legal system.

This undated photo shows Riaz, who was fatally shot on January 1, 2025, in Lahore, Pakistan. According to police, Riaz was killed in a murder-for-hire plot stemming from a family property dispute.Punjab Police

Murder-for-hire scheme

Authorities say the killing was orchestrated by Riaz’s brother-in-law, Imtiaz Siddiq, over a property dispute. Siddiq, the alleged mastermind, remains at large.

According to police, Siddiq had transferred ownership of his house to his wife but later demanded its return after a domestic dispute. When his wife refused without consulting her brother Riaz, tensions flared.

After heated arguments, Siddiq’s wife left him and moved in with her brother.

Police allege that Siddiq hired Usman to kill Riaz, offering the two pilgrimage tickets, a motorcycle, and cash. In a calculated move to divert suspicion, Siddiq reportedly attended Riaz’s funeral.

The search for Siddiq is ongoing, police said.