Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari has confirmed that the death of Syeda Sania Zehra was a homicide, not a suicide.
Zehra, aged 20, died on July 9 after someone found her hanging from a ceiling fan at her residence in Multan. At a recent press conference in Lahore, Minister Bokhari stated that investigators found no evidence of suicide in Zehra’s case. She revealed, “The mother-in-law and husband had jointly placed a noose around the girl’s neck.”
The Punjab government formed a six-member committee to investigate the murder, prompted by inconsistencies in the First Information Report (FIR) and the post-mortem report.
Comprising forensic experts, the committee is responsible for daily investigation oversight. During the press conference, which also featured Hina Pervaiz Butt, Chairperson of the Women Protection Authority, Bokhari noted that injuries on Zehra’s shoulder and neck were inconsistent with hanging.
Forensic evidence, including DNA from the dupatta used as the noose, implicated Zehra’s husband and mother-in-law. “Forensics have found evidence against Sania’s mother-in-law and husband,” Bokhari asserted, highlighting the extensive efforts to cover up the crime.
Zehra’s father, Syed Asad Abbas Shah, reported to the police that his daughter had been found hanging after the family received a distressing call on the morning of July 9, 2024. The complaint lodged under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) at the New Multan police station implicated Zehra’s husband and in-laws in her murder.
Despite the husband’s initial claims that Zehra had committed suicide following an argument, forensic analysis revealed signs of physical torture and disproved the suicide narrative. Police exhumed Zehra’s body on July 13 to conduct a detailed post-mortem, confirming asphyxia due to hanging as the cause of death, which was staged to mask the murder.
The case has captured significant public attention, with social media campaigns amplifying calls for justice. Following intense scrutiny, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz instructed officials to engage directly with Zehra’s grieving family, leading to further investigations.
Police arrested the husband, Ali Raza, on July 20 after initially releasing him. He faces new charges, including forgery and dishonesty, reflecting the complex and evolving nature of the case against him.
