Police crack 18-month-old murder mystery

Victim's wife held; police allege woman arranged husband's killing after divorce

GUJRANWALA:

Police have claimed to have solved an 18-month-old blind murder case in Gujranwala, alleging that the victim's wife orchestrated his killing with the help of her relatives and associates after he refused to grant her a divorce.

According to police, Salman Butt was shot dead outside his home in Sharif Farm locality within the jurisdiction of Cantt Police Station on January 9, 2025. He had just returned from work and was knocking at his door when three unidentified motorcyclists opened fire, killing him on the spot before fleeing.

A murder case was registered on the complaint of the victim's father, but the perpetrators remained unidentified for nearly a year and a half.

Police said fresh investigations revealed that Salman's wife, Najma Bibi, was allegedly behind the murder. Investigators claimed that she wanted to marry her cousin, Kaleem, a resident of Muridke, and had repeatedly sought a divorce from Salman. When he refused, she allegedly conspired with Kaleem to have him killed.

According to police, Kaleem, who had been living in Malaysia, allegedly travelled to Gujranwala and, with the assistance of an associate identified as Mughis Faizan, planned and executed the murder.

After the killing, Kaleem reportedly fled back to Malaysia, while Mughis Faizan was later arrested.

Police have taken Najma Bibi into custody and said efforts are underway to secure the arrest of Kaleem through legal channels.