Man, son arrested for murdering journalist

Police say property and monetary dispute led to Hassan Zeb’s murder

NOWSHERA:

Police finally solved the mysterious murder case of senior journalist Hassan Zeb who was shot dead in Akbarpura, Nowshera two weeks ago.

Police said that a father and his son hired a professional assassin to kill Zeb after both the sides developed a dispute over the payment of Rs3.7 million. The assassin had been paid Rs1 lakh for the purpose.

Both the suspects involved in the murde rhave been arrested, while the assassin Bilal is expected to be behind bars soon.

The motorcycle used in the incident has been recovered from the possession of the accused.

Nowshera District Police Officer (DPO) Muhammad Azhar Khan, Investigation SP Alamzeb Khan and SDPO Jawad Khan, while addressing a crowded press conference at the police lines, said that Zeb was killed over a property and monetary dispute.

The DPO said that the killing of senior journalist Hassan Zeb was a big challenge for the Nowshera police. “The murder was given different colors in the area, but the excellent police network, and investigation, exposed the real culprits behind the murder. The DPO said that the slain journalist Hassan Zeb had sold a plot to Ashfaq with an outstanding balance of Rs3.7 million. This amount became the ultimate bone of contention.

He alleged that Ashfaq, along with his son Zohaib, planned to kill the journalist. A brother of the first wife of the slain journalist helped hire the alleged assassin, identified as Bilal, for the purpose.

Police findings suggested that Zohaib was driving a motorcycle, while the Bilal was sitting behind him and opened fire on the victim Zeb.

The DPO continued that the accused father and son had been arrested in the murder case, while a raiding party had been formed to arrest Bilal. “He will be arrested soon. The motorcycle used in the crime has been recovered by the police.”

DPO Muhammad Azhar Khan appreciated the performance of SP Investigation Alamzeb Khan, DSP Jawad Khan and the police team.

Zeb was just 40 at the time of his murder and was working for a Peshawar-based Urdu daily. He was also a member of the Khyber Union of Journ­alists and Peshawar Press Club (PPC). The murdered reported covered both the health and city beats.