Female journalist’s alleged murderer arrested in Karachi | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Female journalist’s alleged murderer arrested in Karachi

Pakistan Press Foundation

KARACHI: The police claimed on Saturday to have arrested the suspected murderer of a female journalist in Karachi.

The journalist, Zeba Burney, 65, was found dead under mysterious circumstances inside her apartment in Khudadad Colony within the limits of the Brigade police station on the first day of Eidul Fitr. Her housemaid found her body hanging in her flat when she arrived on Eid day and later informed the neighbours and police. The authorities later registered a murder case against unidentified persons on behalf of the victim’s brother, Zafar, as doubts arose over her alleged suicide.

The investigators claimed to have arrested a suspect allegedly involved in her murder and his arrest was disclosed by SSP Zulfiqar Maher during a press conference held at his office. “It was a challenging case. There was not enough evidence but, despite this, we have investigated this case in a very short time,” said SSP Maher.

The arrested man was identified as Kashif Jamil who allegedly murdered the journalist in a bid to loot cash, jewellery and other valuables. “He killed her after she offered resistance to a robbing bid.”

The accused strangled her to death using a telephone wire and later hanged her body to give the impression that she had committed suicide.

Jamil was a former neighbour of the victim but was asked to leave the apartment complex after he was unable to pay the rent.

Burney was a journalist and had been associated with a local Urdu newspaper for over 30 years. Her husband was also a journalist and died about 15 years ago. She had retired and was living alone. Sindh Home Minister Sohail Anwar Siyal had also taken notice of the case while ordering the concerned police officials to arrest the culprit. The Karachi Union of Journalists also condemned the incident and demanded the case be investigated properly.

The Express Tribune

Related Stories

Dawn: Suspect held for killing senior journalist

The News: ‘Murderer’ of journalist Zeba Burney arrested