RAWALPINDI, June 13: The main accused in the murder of a Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf supporter confessed that he had fired gunshots outside the Pakistan Muslim League-N candidate’s election office on May 11, police sources said on Thursday.

The New Town police also wanted to interrogate PML-N candidate Mohammad Hanif Abbasi in connection with the murder of PTI supporter Usman Farooq, but are apparently afraid of the PML-N leadership’s anger.

Irfan Butt, a close aide of Mr Abbasi, had been spotted by the police in video footages firing gunshots using both hands. Later, he had escaped to Azad Jammu and Kashmir to avoid arrest, but had returned after obtaining a pre-arrest bail.

He will appear before the Court of Session Judge on June 14 to get his bail extended, and will be arrested if his bail is cancelled by the court.

Police said the other accused, including Mr Abbasi, would also be investigated in connection with the murder.

Usman Farooq, 28, had been killed in a clash between the PTI and PML-N supporters in Rehmanabad on May 11 when the former were celebrating the victory of their party chairman Imran Khan. In the same incident, Bilal Khan, Aqeel Khan, Irfan Akhtar and Waseem Naqvi had also been injured.—Staff Reporter

Opinion

Editorial

AJK elections
29 Jul, 2026

AJK elections

CONSIDERING the political unrest that has rocked Azad Jammu and Kashmir in the recent past, free and fair general...
Still vulnerable
29 Jul, 2026

Still vulnerable

THE State Bank’s decision to hold the policy rate at 11.5pc is a prudent response to the heightened risks the...
Guarding the past
29 Jul, 2026

Guarding the past

THE return of 513 smuggled archaeological artefacts from the US is a welcome homecoming for objects that should ...
Lull in fighting
Updated 28 Jul, 2026

Lull in fighting

AFTER two weeks of escalating violence, the US has halted its strikes on Iran, with Tehran also silencing it guns....
Water policy
28 Jul, 2026

Water policy

THE country is caught in a crisis where there too much water at the wrong time and too little when it is most ...
Ending hepatitis
28 Jul, 2026

Ending hepatitis

WORLD Hepatitis Day is being observed under the theme ‘Hepatitis: Let’s break it down’, a call to remove the...