Police records from Mandi Bahauddin show no earlier case or complaint against Zeeshan Arshad, the domestic worker named as the main suspect in the Hina Javed murder. People who knew him in his home village describe him differently from the picture painted by Rawalpindi police in public statements.
Rawalpindi police investigating the killing of 45-year-old Hina Javed have identified Zeeshan Arshad as the prime suspect. They have said he had criminal tendencies and alleged involvement in illegal and unnatural activities. A Geo News team visited his native village, checked records at Miana Gondal police station, and spoke to teachers, friends, former employers and local residents.
Officials at Miana Gondal police station confirmed there is no previous case or complaint against Zeeshan Arshad in their available records. Local police also said the Rawalpindi investigation team had not contacted them about the matter. Geo News found no sign that investigators had recorded statements from village residents about his background.
A teacher at the religious seminary where Zeeshan studied for about two years said he did not believe the young man was involved in immoral acts or capable of such a serious crime. A local shopkeeper who had known him for five years mentioned only minor fights and disputes, and rejected claims that Zeeshan had sent photographs or videos to friends.
A retired Pakistan Air Force man who once employed Zeeshan said he had known him since childhood, never received any complaint about his behaviour, and was unaware of any illegal activity. A bookshop owner who employed him for over a year described him as honest and of good character. A village barber and a local councillor also spoke of his calm temperament and the respectable reputation of his family.
The person who arranged Zeeshan’s job at Hina Javed’s house said a background check was done through the victim’s brother-in-law before he was hired about seven months earlier. Police continue to call him the prime suspect based on what they describe as past tendencies, forensic reports and a confession. The forensic reports have not been made public, and the victim’s family has asked for their release. Nearly three months after the murder, police have still not submitted the formal charge sheet to the court.
The village findings do not prove the police case is wrong or that Zeeshan Arshad is innocent. They do, however, differ from the public description of his past given by investigators, which has not yet been backed by released evidence.
