Wife emerges as prime accused in pastor's murder case

Hitmen hired for Rs3.3m; religious motives ruled out after probe

GUJRANWALA:

Police claimed to have cracking the murder case of a pastor in Gujranwala, revealing that the vicim's wife was not only the complainant but also the mastermind behind the killing.

Investigators revealed that Pastor Kamran Nazir's wife Salmina planned the murder in collusion with an acquaintance, hired contract killers for Rs3.3 million and attempted to portray the crime as an act of 'religious terrorism'.

Two hired shooters were later killed in a police encounter, while Salmina and other accused were taken into custody. The complainant in the case has also been changed.

The incident occurred on December 5 in the jurisdiction of Civil Lines police station, in the area of Kacha Fato Mand.

Pastor Kamran Nazir was shot dead while he was on his way to drop his daughter to school. Unidentified assailants opened fire, killing him on the spot.

Initially, an FIR was registered on the complaint of his wife, Salmina, who claimed that her husband had been targeted due to religious extremism.

Police said the victim was originally a laboratory technician by profession who later acquired religious education and became a pastor.

His family informed investigators that he had earlier lived in Islamabad, where he allegedly faced threats after attempting to establish a church without official permission.

The narrative of religious persecution led to widespread concern within the Christian community, and some foreign media outlets portrayed the incident as a terrorist attack against minorities.

However, due to the sensitivity of the case and mounting pressure, Gujranwala police continued investigations under City Police Officer (CPO) Dr Ghayas Gul Khan.

Investigators began examining property disputes, personal relationships and financial motives.

Police traced the hired shooters to Mingora, Swat. After completing legal formalities and coordinating with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa authorities, a Gujranwala police team arrested the suspects and brought them back for interrogation.