Bail adjoined in Dr Wardah murder case

Waheed Billa's plea to be heard on January 15; other accused remanded

ABBOTTABAD:

The accused in the kidnapping and murder case of Dr Wardah Mushtaq were produced before the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Monday under stringent security arrangements. During the proceedings, the bail application of the principal accused, Waheed Billa, was adjourned until January 15.

Those presented before the court included Waheed Billa, his wife Rida Waheed, contractor Nadeem, Pervez, Adil (son of Chenzeb), Hasnain (son of the alleged hired killer Shamrez), and his nephew Faisal. All were brought from jail amid tight security.

With the exception of Billa, the court ordered that all other accused be remanded back to jail after the police failed to submit the challan. The court fixed January 26 as the next date for its submission.

In Billa's case, the police presented the relevant record, following which he was sent to jail, while further proceedings on his bail application were scheduled for 15 January.

Former President of the High Court Bar Association, Javed Tanoli, appeared on behalf of Waheed Billa, while former President of the District Bar Association, Atif Khan Jadoon, represented the complainant, Dr Warda Shaheed.

It may be recalled that Dr Wardah of Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Hospital was abducted and subsequently murdered on December 4, 2025. The incident triggered widespread protests by the medical fraternity, hospital staff and members of the public.

In response, the provincial government constituted a Joint Investigation Team (JIT), which completed a comprehensive report and submitted it to the provincial authorities. However, despite the passage of two weeks, the report has yet to be made public.

In protest against the delay, doctors at the hospital have been holding daily half-hour demonstrations. The Provincial Doctors Association has once again warned of province-wide protests should the JIT report not be released at the earliest.