Multan Orphan Murder: Prime Suspect Killed in Police Encounter
The Multan orphan murder case took a dramatic turn when prime suspect Tauqeer Nazir was killed in an alleged police encounter with the Crime Control Department (CCD) near Bahawalpur. Nazir had escaped from DHA Police Station in Multan while on a four-day physical remand in the killing of 15-year-old Waseem Abbas, which happened between October 19 and 20 in Royal Orchard Housing Society.
The case has drawn heavy public anger since CCTV footage of the boy’s final moments spread across social media.
How the Alleged Police Encounter Unfolded
According to CCD District Officer Irfan Akbar, a police team tried to stop two motorcycle riders near the Northern Bypass in Bahawalpur.
Police claim the men opened fire as they tried to flee, which led to an exchange of fire. Tauqeer Nazir was killed, allegedly by bullets fired by his own accomplice, who escaped.
Police have not yet explained how a suspect on remand slipped out of custody. They also have not said how he travelled from Multan to Bahawalpur.
What Is CCD?
Many readers are asking what CCD is. The Crime Control Department is a specialised unit of the Punjab Police that focuses on organised and serious crime. It was the CCD team that reported the confrontation in Bahawalpur.
Any police encounter that ends in a death raises questions about what happened and how it will be reviewed. In this case, the unanswered question about the escape makes that scrutiny even sharper.
Court Appearance and the Assault by Lawyers
Before the escape, a judicial magistrate in Multan handed Nazir to police on a four-day physical remand for interrogation.
During that court appearance, a group of enraged lawyers assaulted the suspect. A video of the attack went viral on social media.
The incident also puts the role of legal professionals in the spotlight. A murder defense lawyer or murder attorney is expected to represent an accused person through lawful means, and every suspect has the right to a fair process, whatever the public mood. Violence inside or near a courtroom has no place in that system.
The Brutal Killing of Waseem Abbas
The victim, Waseem Abbas, was a resident of Muzaffargarh who lived in an NGO-run orphanage. According to Child Protection and Welfare Bureau (CPWB) Punjab Chairperson and MPA Sarah Ahmed, that orphanage was unregistered.
Police say Waseem had been sent about a week before his death to work under contractor Tauqeer Nazir and learn electrical work. The boy reportedly wanted to leave the job because of alleged mistreatment.
CCTV footage shows the 15-year-old running for his life while the suspect chased him, first on foot and then in a car. Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said the suspect and an associate chased the boy for about one kilometre before deliberately running him over. Waseem died on the spot.
Police said their initial investigation found no evidence of theft against the boy.
Case Details and Burial
Police registered a murder case under Sections 302 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code and seized the vehicle. This is a murder case, not a case of murder attempted, since the boy died at the scene.
Several staff members of the orphanage were detained for questioning. Waseem Abbas was laid to rest in his ancestral village of Daultpur, Muzaffargarh, after funeral prayers.
The CCTV video sparked massive outrage online, with many people demanding exemplary punishment for those responsible.
Multan High Court Case Status
Readers searching for the Multan high court case status should note that no High Court ruling has been reported so far. The proceedings described in available reports took place before a judicial magistrate in Multan. Any later court order will be reported here once it is confirmed.
Second Accomplice Still at Large
Police said another accomplice, identified as Amjad, is also nominated in the murder case and remains at large. A search for him is continuing.
A Similar Case in Islamabad
A day earlier, in the Ramna police jurisdiction of Islamabad, suspect Muhammad Noman was also killed in an alleged police encounter. Noman was in custody in the suicide case of university student Laiba Ijaz.
Police said he was being taken for recovery when four of his accomplices, riding two motorcycles, opened fire and killed him with their own gunfire before fleeing.
Two suspects dying in similar circumstances within a day has left many people asking for transparent inquiries. Families and the public want answers on custody procedures, so that justice is served through the courts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Waseem Abbas?
Waseem Abbas was a 15-year-old orphan from Muzaffargarh who lived in an NGO-run orphanage. He had been sent to learn electrical work under contractor Tauqeer Nazir about a week before he was killed.
Who is the prime suspect in the Multan orphan murder?
The prime suspect was Tauqeer Nazir, the contractor Waseem was working under. Police say he was killed in an alleged encounter near Bahawalpur. A second accomplice, Amjad, remains at large.
What is CCD in Punjab?
CCD stands for Crime Control Department, a specialised Punjab Police unit that deals with serious and organised crime. It carried out the operation in which Tauqeer Nazir was killed.
How did the suspect escape police custody?
Police have not yet explained how Tauqeer Nazir escaped from DHA Police Station while on remand. They have also not said how he reached Bahawalpur from Multan.
Under which sections was the murder case registered?
Police registered the case under Sections 302 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which cover murder and acts committed by several people with a shared intention.
Was the orphanage registered?
According to CPWB Punjab Chairperson Sarah Ahmed, the NGO-run orphanage where Waseem lived was unregistered. Several of its staff members were detained for questioning.
Is there any update on the Multan high court case status?
No High Court ruling has been reported so far. The remand was granted by a judicial magistrate in Multan, and further developments will depend on court proceedings.