An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan has granted a 15-day extension on the physical remand of Amina Arooj and eight suspects involved in the kidnapping of renowned Pakistani drama writer Khalilur Rehman Qamar. The court has scheduled another hearing for September 7, where the suspects will again be presented.
During the court session, the investigating officer highlighted the recovery of money, weapons, and a vehicle linked to the crime, requesting additional time to retrieve more weapons and a watch belonging to Khalilur Rehman Qamar. Despite opposition from defence lawyers citing the length of time the suspects have already spent in custody, the court approved the extension to allow further investigation.
This case traces back to the recent apprehension of Hassan Shah and Rafique in Peshawar, identified as the leaders of a 12-member gang, which allegedly included women, involved in the kidnapping. They are accused of orchestrating a honey trap that led to the kidnapping and subsequent extortion of Khalilur Rehman Qamar under the guise of a meeting to discuss a potential drama project.
The scriptwriter claims that after being lured to a house, he was abducted by armed men and only released upon paying a hefty ransom. The criminals also allegedly stole his mobile phone, watch, and cash and made unauthorized withdrawals from his bank account. After the ordeal, Qamar was left blindfolded in a remote area.
