MULTAN (Nazrana Times) Ali Imran Chattha 

 A court in Multan on Tuesday remanded a contractor in police custody for four days in a murder case involving the death of a 15-year-old orphan who was allegedly chased and struck by a car after fleeing his workplace.

The case was registered against Tauqeer Nazir and Amjad Ali under Sections 302 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which deal with murder and common intention. Nazir was arrested at the scene, while Ali was reported to have fled. Police seized the vehicle allegedly involved in the incident.

According to the first information report (FIR), the victim, Waseem Abbas, fled his workplace following alleged mistreatment and threats. The suspects allegedly pursued him in a Honda car bearing registration number BVE-474 and struck him. His head reportedly hit a pillar at the entrance to a house, causing fatal injuries. He died at the scene.

Nazir was produced before a judicial magistrate in Multan on Tuesday and remanded into police custody for further investigation. An alleged assault on him by lawyers outside the courtroom was also reported, although the circumstances of the incident have not been independently established.

Nazir has denied deliberately killing the teenager. In a video statement circulating on social media, he claimed that the car skidded while he was trying to stop Waseem from running away. He also alleged that the teenager had previously left the workplace without permission. His account has not been independently verified.

Waseem, who belonged to Muzaffargarh district, had reportedly lived at a private orphanage in Multan for five to six years. The orphanage administration had placed him with Nazir approximately six or seven days before his death to learn electrical work.

The circumstances surrounding the teenager’s placement with the contractor have prompted a separate line of inquiry. Police have detained members of the orphanage administration for questioning. Preliminary inquiries reportedly found no evidence that Waseem had stolen anything.

CCTV footage has reportedly captured a car pursuing the teenager before the collision. Investigators are examining the circumstances of the incident to establish the sequence of events and determine criminal responsibility.

Waseem was buried in his ancestral graveyard in Mouza Daulatpur, Muzaffargarh, following funeral prayers attended by close relatives and orphanage staff. His family has demanded justice and accountability.

The investigation is ongoing. The allegations against the suspects have yet to be established in court, and they are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.