A district and sessions court in Islamabad, presided over by Sessions Judge Nasir Javaid Rana, has sentenced Shahnawaz Amir to death for the murder of his wife, Sarah Inam. The verdict, which includes a penalty of Rs1 million, was delivered on Thursday after being reserved last week on December 9.
The court acquitted Shahnawaz’s mother, Samina Shah, citing a lack of evidence. Initially indicted in December of the previous year, Samina Shah was named a co-accused but has now been cleared of involvement in the case. The trial, involving three judges, spanned over a year, with hearings conducted by Additional Sessions Judges Muhammad Atta Rabbani and Azam Khan.
The Murder of Sarah Inam and Trial Developments
Sarah Inam, a 37-year-old economist, was allegedly murdered by her husband, Shahnawaz Amir, using dumbbells in Islamabad’s Chak Shahzad area on September 23, 2022. The couple, married for just three months, saw their relationship end tragically with Sarah’s murder. Shahnawaz, who is the son of journalist Ayaz Amir, was arrested and later confessed to the murder, citing suspicions of an affair.
After the murder, Ayaz Amir and his former wife Sameena Shah were arrested based on warrants approved by a trial court, following accusations by Sarah’s family. However, Ayaz Amir was later discharged from the case for lack of evidence, and Sameena Shah has now been acquitted.
On another note, Shahnawaz faced charges involving the illegal possession of a Kalashnikov firearm, to which he pleaded not guilty. He was later acquitted in this case, with the court granting him the benefit of the doubt.
Remembering Sarah Inam
Sarah Inam, a Canadian national and a successful economist, has worked with organizations like Deloitte and USAID. Holding a master’s degree from the University of Waterloo, she was employed in the government sector in the UAE at the time of her death. Her tragic demise leaves behind a grieving family, including her parents and two elder brothers.”
This format provides a structured and detailed overview of the trial, the verdict, and the background of the individuals involved while also paying tribute to the victim, Sarah Inam.
