Abbottabad Tragedy Sparks Outrage and Demands for Justice

Police in Abbottabad have arrested three suspects in connection with the kidnapping and murder of Dr Warda Mushtaq, a young doctor whose disappearance last week shocked the nation. Authorities confirmed that her body was recovered from a forested area in Thandiani after an extensive search operation.

District Police Officer Haroon Rasheed revealed that Dr Warda was last seen with her close friend Rida, who allegedly lured her under the pretext of returning gold entrusted two years earlier. Investigators claim she was handed over to accomplices before being killed and buried in a remote pit.

The arrests include Rida, Nadeem Zeb, and Pervez, while police continue to search for the prime suspect, Shamrez. Evidence such as vehicles, cheques, and stamp papers linked to the gold transaction has been seized. Forensic and postmortem reports are under review to strengthen the case.

The incident has triggered widespread condemnation. Doctors, nurses, and paramedics staged protests in Abbottabad, boycotting hospital duties and blocking the Karakoram Highway to demand swift justice. The Provincial Doctors Association and Grand Health Alliance criticized police for delayed action, while civil society groups called for stronger measures to protect women.

Political leaders, including representatives from Jamaat-i-Islami and the Awami National Party, denounced the murder as a failure of authorities to safeguard public life. They urged exemplary punishment for the culprits and demanded that the case be tried under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

The tragic killing of Dr Warda Mushtaq has raised urgent questions about women’s safety in Pakistan. As investigations continue, the nation watches closely, demanding accountability and justice for the young doctor whose life was cut short.