China-returned doctor found dead

Police say Dr Niaz's body shows signs of torture

RAWALPINDI:

The body of a Pakistani doctor who recently returned from China was discovered near the Thatta Khalil area in Taxila, Rawalpindi.

Originally from Peshawar, Dr Abdullah Niaz worked as a house officer at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad and recently completed his tenure there.

He arrived at New Islamabad Airport on November 5 but did not return home, leading his family to file a kidnapping report.

According to the police, Dr Niaz's brother, Abdul Rehman, reported his disappearance to the New Airport police station after failed attempts to reach him.

In his statement, Rehman explained that he had last spoken with his brother on November 5 around 11am via WhatsApp, using a number belonging to another passenger.

Dr Niaz mentioned that his phone had been stolen in China and instructed his family not to come to the airport, as he planned to travel home with someone named Hayat.

When he did not arrive, his brother contacted Hayat, who claimed the doctor's flight had been delayed and that no one from his side had gone to pick him up. Concerned by the silence, the family suspected foul play, prompting the registration of a kidnapping case.

Days later, on Wednesday, Dr Niaz's body was found near the motorway, showing signs of torture.

The police conducted a forensic examination at the scene before transferring his body to a hospital for post-mortem. SHO New Airport Attock, Tahir Mehmood, confirmed to The Express Tribune that the victim's disappearance had been reported after his arrival at the New Islamabad Airport.

"The preliminary investigation suggests he may have been killed by gunfire, but the exact cause will be confirmed after the autopsy," Mehmood said.