Court rejects bail plea of Hassan Zahid in Samiya Hijab abduction case

A district and sessions court in Islamabad on Wednesday dismissed the bail plea of Hassan Zahid in the attempted abduction case involving social media influencer Samiya Hijab.

Following the decision, police arrested Zahid in a separate case related to threats and cash snatching.

Authorities also secured a two-day physical remand from the court in connection with the new charges.

The investigating officer informed the court that more arrests are expected on Zahid’s identification, as other suspects may be linked to the matter.

Zahid’s defence counsel argued that the accused and complainant had previously been engaged, a claim supported by photographs presented in court. However, Samiya Hijab alleged that Zahid — with whom she had been in a relationship — had been harassing her for months with threats and repeated demands for marriage.

In a video shared with her 850,000 Instagram followers, the influencer claimed Zahid appeared outside her residence, forcibly took her mobile phone, and attempted to push her into his car.

Three days earlier, Zahid had been remanded for three additional days in the same case. Prosecutors told the court that Rs45,000 had been recovered from him, but his vehicle, weapons, and possible accomplices were still to be traced.

They requested an extension in physical remand to continue investigations.