The prime suspect in the killing of an orphaned teenager in Multan has been killed in an alleged encounter with Punjab’s Crime Control Department (CCD) near Bahawalpur, police said on Wednesday.
The suspect, Tauqeer Nazir, escaped from Multan’s DHA police station while on a four-day physical remand in connection with the murder of Waseem Abbas.
CCD District Officer Irfan Akbar said that a police team tried to stop two men riding a motorcycle near Bahawalpur’s Northern Bypass. He added that the men opened fire while attempting to flee, triggering an exchange of gunfire.
Akbar said that Tauqeer was hit by bullets fired by his accomplice, who escaped from the scene.
A judicial magistrate in Multan had handed Tauqeer over to police for four days of questioning in the murder case. The suspect was also reportedly assaulted by lawyers during his court appearance on Tuesday.
Police have not explained how Tauqeer escaped custody or reached Bahawalpur. His other alleged accomplice, Amjad, remains at large in connection with the case.
Waseem, an orphan from Muzaffargarh district, was chased and run over by a car in Multan’s Royal Orchard housing society.
Police said that the teenager had been living at an NGO-run orphanage before he was sent to work with Tauqeer about a week before his death to learn electrical work. He reportedly wanted to leave the job because of alleged mistreatment.
According to police, Tauqeer pursued Waseem in a car after he fled his workplace and allegedly ran him over. CCTV footage showed the teenager running away before the vehicle struck him.
Police said that their initial investigation found no evidence that Waseem was involved in theft.
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari had earlier said that Tauqeer and Amjad allegedly chased the teenager for about one kilometre before running him over.
Police registered a murder case under Sections 302 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code against the suspects. Section 302 deals with punishment for murder while Section 34 concerns acts carried out by several people in furtherance of a common intention.
Investigators also detained several orphanage staff members for questioning.
Waseem was buried in his ancestral graveyard in Daultpur village.
