June 9, 2026
By Rehan Piracha
LAHORE
Jhang police have arrested three suspects in connection with the death of a female student who was brought to a private hospital in critical condition after her companions fled.
The mysterious death sparked nationwide outrage after major news channel shared closed-circuit television footage of the girl, later identified as Aishal Fatima, being first brought to a private hospital in Jhang. She was later shifted to District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital in Jhang, where she breathed her last.
According to a statement from Jhang police on Tuesday, on June 7, a call was received on Police Helpline 15 reporting that an unidentified young woman had been brought to a private hospital in a critical condition and that the accompanying persons had absconded. That same day, Aishal Fatima succumbed to her injuries and died in the hospital.
‘She left home and never came back’
Aishal Fatima was a first-year college student residing with her father, Irshad Hussain, in Sultan Colony, Satellite Town, Jhang. At approximately 1:30 pm on June 4, she left home to pick up stitched clothing from Nawaz Chowk — a routine errand that should have taken minutes.
When she failed to return after an unusually long time, her father attempted to reach her on her mobile phone. The number was switched off. Irshad Hussain, accompanied by neighbours Abdul Ghafoor and Nasir Abbas, searched the area but found no trace of her.
Three days later, an unknown caller rang the mother’s mobile phone to inform the family that their daughter was unwell and had been admitted to Ali Ahmad Hospital on Toba Road. When the father rushed there, he was told that local police had already transferred the girl to DHQ Hospital Jhang. Upon arrival, he found Aishal lying unconscious, under medical care. The individuals who had brought her to the hospital had fled the scene.
FIR lodged, investigation launched
Irshad Hussain filed a First Information Report (FIR) at Police Station Satellite Town, Jhang. Police registered the case under Section 365-B (Kidnapping, abducting or inducing woman to compel for marriage) and Section 337-J (Causing hurt by mean of a poison) of the Pakistan Penal Code against unknown accused, and a formal investigation was initiated.
DPO takes notice; overnight operation
Upon receiving information about the incident, District Police Officer (DPO) Jhang Sajid Hussain took immediate cognisance and directed the relevant officers to conduct a thorough investigation based on all available facts and evidence.
Police and Crime Control Division (CCD) teams swung into action, employing CCTV footage analysis and other modern investigative methods. By the following morning, three suspects — Khalil ur Rehman, Muhammad Hassan, and Umaish — had been traced and arrested in overnight raids conducted at multiple locations. The vehicle allegedly used in the commission of the crime was also recovered and taken into police custody.
Preliminary information suggests that Aishal and the primary accused, Khalil ur Rehman, were known to each other. The suspects have claimed that the girl suddenly fell ill and they transported her to hospital for medical treatment. Police, however, have not accepted this account at face value, and investigations into the actual chain of events and motive are continuing.
Murder charges added; forensics awaited
Following Aishal’s death, authorities have decided to add murder and other serious charges to the abduction case registered on her father’s complaint. Samples of medicines allegedly administered to the victim, along with other physical evidence, have been collected and sent for forensic examination. The post-mortem report is yet to be released.
DPO Sajid Hussain stated that every aspect of the case is being examined with the utmost care, and that all forensic reports and post-mortem findings will be taken into account before drawing any conclusions. He gave his assurance that the investigation will proceed with complete transparency, impartiality, and professional integrity, and that the case will be investigated strictly on merit.