Anchorperson shot dead at home in Rawalpindi, husband arrested

Police say husband told investigators that the firearm had discharged accidentally and the bullet struck his wife

An anchorperson, Rabia Ahsan, was allegedly shot dead by her husband at their home in Rawalpindi, with police taking the suspect into custody and seizing the weapon used in the incident.

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari confirmed the death, identifying the journalist as 41-year-old Rabiya Ahmad, who was associated with 92 News. She said the woman was found dead in her room with a gunshot wound to the head. The accused was arrested along with the weapon, she added.

Subject: *Murder of Ms. Rabia Ahmed Khan, 92 News.*

District: Rawalpindi
Dated: 08-11-26

Sir,
Ms. Rabiya Ahmad, aged 41, a journalist associated with 92 News, was found dead in her room with a gunshot wound to the head.

During initial interrogation, her husband, Ahsan Tahir… https://t.co/Tq4rRY1d2f

— Azma Zahid Bokhari (@AzmaBokhariPMLN) November 8, 2026

According to police, however, Rabia’s body was found in the bedroom of her house in Gulshanabad, on Adiala Road, with a bullet wound to the front of her neck.

Police said the suspect, identified as Ahsan, told investigators in his initial statement that the firearm had discharged accidentally and the bullet struck his wife.

Azma also said the suspect claimed the weapon went off accidentally while he was playing with it. Police were investigating the claim.

Rabia had presented her last programme on a mainstream television channel on Saturday night. Police sources said her mother and sisters were also present at the house when the incident occurred.

The suspect is a grade-18 officer at the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation, according to police sources. Rabia is survived by two daughters and also ran a private salon in Islamabad.

A team from the Punjab Forensic Science Agency collected evidence from the crime scene. A Rawalpindi police spokesperson said the body had been shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital for a post-mortem examination. Police are registering a murder case against the suspect at the Sadar Bairuni police station.

The incident sent shock waves through the journalist community, with colleagues and senior journalists expressing grief over her death and calling for justice.

Senior anchorperson Absa Komal said she was heartbroken over the death of Rabia, describing her as a respected anchor, dedicated journalist and mother.

Heartbroken by the tragic death of Rabia Ahsan, a respected anchor, dedicated journalist and mother.
I am really struggling to find words. It is devastating to think of the children she leaves behind.
Her husband has been arrested and weapon recovered. I hope justice is served… pic.twitter.com/GGYwvcxaF7

— Absa Komal (@AbsaKomal) November 8, 2026

“I am really struggling to find words. It is devastating to think of the children she leaves behind,” she said in a post on X.

Komal said she hoped justice would be served and Rabia’s family would not be left waiting for years.

Senior journalist Rauf Klasra also expressed shock over the death of his former television show host.

Its shocking and sickening to learn about violent death of our former tv show host @Rabiya_Ahsan
My heart goes out to family specially her two beautiful daughters who have lost a mother at such an early age. What a tragedy and what a loss of young life. 😔 pic.twitter.com/D16faTYoJE

— Rauf Klasra (@KlasraRauf) November 8, 2026

“My heart goes out to the family, especially her two beautiful daughters who have lost a mother at such an early age,” he said in a post on X.

Senior journalist and columnist Nusrat said he was struggling to process the news. Recalling Rabia’s early days as a journalism student, he said Rabia had once visited Aaj TV’s office with sharp and curious questions.

Just saw the news about Rabia on my timeline and I still can’t process it. She once came to Aaj Tv's office as a young student, full of sharp, curious questions that stayed with me. Years later she grew into such a fine, dedicated anchor, working alongside seniors like…

— Nusrat Javeed (@javeednusrat) November 8, 2026

Years later, he said, Rabia had become a dedicated anchor who worked alongside senior journalists, including Amir Mateen and Rauf Klasra, and established herself through hard work.