MULTAN: Tauqeer Nazir, the prime suspect in the killing of 15-year-old orphan Waseem Abbas, who was allegedly run over by a car in Multan, has died in an alleged police encounter near Bahawalpur. According to police, Nazir had been arrested and produced before a court, which remanded him to police custody for four days. He subsequently escaped from custody.
According to Irfan Akbar, District Officer of the Crime Control Department (CCD), police attempted to stop two men riding a motorcycle on the Northern Bypass in Bahawalpur. The officers said the suspects tried to flee and opened fire instead of stopping.
During the exchange of fire, Nazir was allegedly shot dead by his own accomplice, while the second suspect managed to escape, police said.
Police officials said Nazir had been arrested following the incident in Multan and presented before a court. A judicial magistrate had granted the police a four-day remand, according to Akbar, but the suspect later escaped from custody.
Reports also indicated that lawyers had assaulted Nazir when he appeared in court.
How Did the Incident Happen?
The death of 15-year-old orphan Waseem Abbas in a private housing society in Multan drew widespread attention after CCTV footage from multiple locations emerged. The footage reportedly showed the teenager running away while individuals in a car pursued him.
Another recording appeared to show a car running over the boy, who died at the scene. Reports suggested that the incident was initially portrayed as an accident. However, footage from multiple CCTV cameras raised serious questions about the circumstances surrounding his death.
Following the incident, police took action, arrested Tauqeer Nazir and registered a murder case against him.
Orphan Boy Had Been Sent to Learn Electrical Work
According to Multan City Police Officer Akhtar Farooq, Waseem Abbas lived at an orphanage run by a non-governmental organisation. He had been sent to Nazir approximately seven days before the incident to learn electrical work.
Police said Nazir undertook electrical installation contracts at various buildings. Children from the same orphanage had reportedly been sent to him for vocational training in the past.
Preliminary information suggested that Waseem was distressed by Nazir’s alleged mistreatment and wanted to leave the job. According to police, the boy was pursued after attempting to leave and was run over by a car.
Further details about the alleged police encounter and the whereabouts of the accomplice who escaped remain awaited.
