THE DEATH OF KAFILA SIDDIQUI
Witness statements, phone and road records likely to figure in trial
The Globe and Mail, Tuesday, June 19, 2007
SONYA FATAH AND OMAR EL AKKAD
NEW DELHI, TORONTO — A former Pakistani cabinet minister’s statements about the events leading up to the death of a Canadian businesswoman living in his home are clearly contradicted by testimony from his own domestic staff, police alleged yesterday as they presented the first detailed description of Kafila Siddiqui’s final hours.
Muhammad Shahid Jamil Qureshi, who, until his resignation a week ago, was Pakistan’s state minister for communications, was granted a bail extension of four days yesterday; he is charged in connection with Ms. Siddiqui’s death. However, two members of his domestic staff were remanded to police custody for two days. Investigators allege Mr. Qureshi’s cook and driver withheld information from police about Ms. Siddiqui’s whereabouts in the days leading up to her death earlier this month.
After conducting a series of interrogations, police say staff members at Mr. Qureshi’s home were aware Ms. Siddiqui was living in the residence, but they were not allowed to interact with her.
“They have all given statements that Ms. Siddiqui was held against her will,” said Islamabad Police Senior Superintendent Zafar Iqbal. “Their statements go against those given by the ex-minister.
“If need be, they will be asked to testify in court.”
Mr. Qureshi’s driver, Mohammad Ijaz, testified before a magistrate yesterday, giving the first eyewitness account of Ms. Siddiqui’s last moments on the night of June 9. Mr. Ijaz said the former minister left the house around 10 p.m., carrying Ms. Siddiqui in his arms. It was not clear whether she was unconscious or dead, Mr. Ijaz added.
According to Mr. Ijaz’s testimony, Mr. Qureshi said he would drive himself – something that was out of character for a minister accustomed to being chauffeured.
Mr. Qureshi’s own account of his departure from his residence is significantly different, according to police: He told investigators Ms. Siddiqui left the house on her feet, using him for support.
But police records show Mr. Qureshi did not take the 39-year-old Canadian to the hospital – one was located just five minutes away from his home. Instead, police allege, Mr. Qureshi got onto the Islamabad-Lahore Motorway, and planned to drive Ms. Siddiqui to her sister’s home in Lahore, more than 250 kilometres away.
Motorway records obtained by police show Mr. Qureshi entered the highway but drove for a little more than an hour before turning back and returning to Islamabad.
“We have proof and we have records from the highway, because they recorded the entry and exit time of the car,” Supt. Iqbal said.
During his journey to Lahore, Mr. Qureshi allegedly made a phone call to Ms. Siddiqui’s sister, informing her that he was bringing Ms. Siddiqui, who had suddenly fallen ill, to her home. When Ms. Siddiqui’s sister said she would instead come to Islamabad herself, police allege, Mr. Qureshi hung up.
Mr. Qureshi then dialled Ms. Siddiqui’s brother, Mustafa Qayyum, in Karachi, and informed him that his sister had died, police say.
Four hours after he initially left the house, Mr. Qureshi finally brought Ms. Siddiqui to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, the hospital located minutes away. She was declared dead on arrival.
In a statement to police, Mr. Qureshi’s cook said he was told to prepare two meals a day for Ms. Siddiqui, but that the meals were taken to her by the former minister. Ten days prior to her death, the cook said, he was asked to prepare only one meal a day for Ms. Siddiqui.
Results of chemical tests to determine the cause of Ms. Siddiqui’s death are being examined in a laboratory in Lahore and are expected to be made public in a few days.
Last Wednesday, police added another charge against Mr. Qureshi, which describes a criminal offence similar to manslaughter. If convicted, Mr. Qureshi could face up to 14 years in jail. Previously, he had been charged with illegal confinement.
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