Former University of Waterloo student Sara Inam, a Canadian citizen, allegedly murdered by her husband in Pakistan (updates)

THERE is shock and sadness in Canada at the news that former University of Waterloo student Sara Inam, 37, who was a Canadian citizen, was allegedly murdered by her husband in Pakistan.

Vivek Goel, President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Waterloo in Ontario, wrote on the university’s website on Monday: “I was deeply saddened to wake up this morning to news of the death in Pakistan of a former University of Waterloo student, Sara Inam. Sara was killed as a result of intimate partner violence. A talented economist and kind friend by all accounts, Sara is gone far too soon.”

A University of Waterloo spokesperson told the media that Inam graduated in 2005 with an honours degree in Economics and Arts and in 2007 with a masters in Economics.

Inam (whose first name is also spelt “Sarah”) had married Shahnawaz Amir, the son of well-known journalist Ayaz Amir.

 

The Dawn newspaper of Pakistan reported that according to the police, “Sara Inam … was the third wife of the alleged murderer. She had arrived in the capital from Dubai on Thursday [last week]. They had married a couple of months ago after falling in love with each other through social media.”

The newspaper reported that Shahnawaz was arrested last week for allegedly killing his wife at a farmhouse located in Shahzad Town where the suspect lived along with his mother. His father was also arrested for his alleged involvement.

According to a First Information Report (FIR) that was registered on the complaint of Shahzad Town Station House Officer Nawazish Ali Khan, on September 23, Shahnawaz’s mother Sameena Shah called police and informed them that Shahnawaz had murdered his wife “with a dumbbell”.

“My son is present in the house and has hidden the body,” his mother told the police that then raided the house.

Police said that Shahnawaz had locked himself up in his room. When forced their way inside, there were blood stains on Shahnawaz’s hands and clothes.

“He then confessed that he had repeatedly hit his wife with a dumbbell during an argument and then hid her body in the washroom’s bathtub,” the police complaint said.

According to the FIR, Shahnawaz said he had “hidden” the murder weapon under his bed. Police found blood and hair on the dumbbell. “We have sent it for forensics,” the FIR added.

The victim’s body was sent to the Polyclinic Hospital for a post mortem examination, according to police.

Shahnawaz’s father who was accused of aiding his son was also arrested. However, an Islamabad district and sessions court on Tuesday set him free in spite of the police request to extend the journalist’s remand by another five days, the Dawn newspaper reported. The court concluded that there was no evidence against him in the police diary.

The government lawyer said in court: “Ayaz Amir had contacted [Shahnawaz] on Whatsapp. This is the evidence we have till now.”

Global Affairs Canada said that it is “aware of the death of a Canadian citizen in Pakistan and that “consular officials are in contact with local authorities to obtain more information.” It said: “Consular officials are in contact with the family and are providing consular assistance.”

 

AFTER Sara’ Inam’s funeral on Wednesday, her father Inam Rahim said that what happened to his daughter was “injustice” as he called for a “strict punishment” for Shahnawaz, according to the Dawn newspaper.

“Sarah was brutally tortured. If this case is delayed, it will be a huge injustice,” he said. He requested the government and the courts to wrap up the proceedings within three to four hearings.

He added: “The suspect should be hanged. There is evidence [of the crime].”

He said that his daughter had been in Dubai for the past 10 years and he used to communicate with her every day “on calls and messages.”

He alleged: “She had a good job in Dubai and was getting several good offers. Shahnawaz was greedy and his eyes were on Sarah’s money.”