MULTAN – A key suspect in the brutal killing of a 15-year-old orphan boy in Multan was reportedly killed in an alleged police encounter near Bahawalpur, according to a district officer of the Crime Control Department (CCD).
The suspect, identified as Tauqeer Nazir, had allegedly run over the teenager, Wasim Abbas, with a car on Monday after the boy tried to leave his work. The child had reportedly been distressed by the suspect’s harsh treatment and no longer wanted to work for him.
CCD District Officer Irfan Akbar said police arrested Tauqeer following the incident and presented him before a court. A judicial magistrate subsequently granted police a four-day remand. However, the suspect later escaped from custody.
Akbar said police attempted to stop two motorcyclists on the Northern Bypass near Bahawalpur. The suspects allegedly opened fire while fleeing. During the exchange, Tauqeer was reportedly killed by gunfire from his own accomplice, while the other suspect escaped.
The case had drawn attention after CCTV footage from multiple angles emerged, showing the teenager running away while being pursued before a car struck him.
Police registered a murder case against Tauqeer after his arrest. During his court appearance, lawyers also reportedly assaulted him.
Multan City Police Officer Akhtar Farooq said Wasim had been living at an orphanage run by a non-governmental organisation. About seven days before the incident, he had been sent to Tauqeer to learn electrical work.
Tauqeer reportedly took electrical work contracts at various buildings, and children from the same orphanage had previously received vocational training under him.
According to police, the fatal incident occurred after Wasim decided to leave the work and was pursued by the suspect.