ISLAMABAD: A district and sessions court in Islamabad has approved a three-day extension of custody for Hasan Zahid in connection with the Samiya Hijab abduction and intimidation case.
Zahid was brought before Duty Magistrate Azhar Nadeem after completing the initial five-day period of physical remand. During the hearing, defense counsel requested the court to review the previous remand order and asked the police to clarify what investigations had been conducted during that time.
Evidence presented to the court included transaction records between Zahid and social media influencer Samiya, as well as a video statement from Samiya’s parents. The defense also disclosed that the two were engaged and submitted photographs of their engagement.
Prosecutors, however, highlighted that Rs45,000 had been recovered from Zahid and stated that his vehicle, weapons, and accomplices were still at large. They requested an eight-day remand to continue investigations into these aspects.The defense argued that Zahid had already obtained bail in one case but was intentionally detained in this instance.
After deliberation, the court granted a three-day extension of Zahid’s remand, falling short of the eight days sought by the prosecution.
Earlier this week, Samiya, a prominent social media personality, accused Zahid—whom she was in a relationship with—of harassing her over the past few months, including threats and coercive demands to marry him.In an Instagram video watched by nearly 850,000 followers, Samiya claimed Zahid had appeared outside her residence, forcibly taken her phone, and attempted to force her into his vehicle.“My mother was unwell, and my brother wasn’t at home. When I stepped outside, he snatched my phone, got into his car, and forced me inside,” Samiya, a well-known TikTok personality, said.
Following the incident, police registered a case, and additional security personnel have been stationed outside her residence to ensure her protection.
