ISLAMABAD: An Islamabad trial court Thursday sentenced Shahnawaz Amir, killer of his wife Sarah Inam, to death and also imposed a fine of Rs1 million on him, which would be paid to the bereaved family.
The court, however, acquitted Shahnawaz’s mother, Samina Shah, who was co-accused in the murder case. District and Sessions Judge Nasir Javed Rana announced the verdict reserved almost a year after the gruesome killing.
Sarah’s parents and Shaukhat Mukaddam — father of another victim of gender-based violence Noor Mukadam — were among those present in the packed courtroom.
As the verdict was announced, the victim’s father became emotional. Meanwhile, the police swiftly escorted the convict out of the courtroom.
A Canadian national, Sarah, was murdered by Shahnawaz Amir, the son of senior journalist Ayaz Amir, in Islamabad about one year ago. She was killed just a day after she arrived in Pakistan from Dubai where she had been working. The alleged killer was arrested on Sept 23 last year at a farmhouse in Islamabad’s Shahzad Town.
In January, Dr Bushra Ashraf, who performed Sarah’s post-mortem, told an Islamabad court that the victim had multiple fractures on her head.
Speaking to media after the verdict was announced, Sarah’s father Inaumur Rahim, flanked by Shaukat Mukadam, said he was satisfied with the decision but demanded that Samina Shah should have been punished as well. “At least the convict will go to jail and will be hanged,” he added.
