The murder of Dr Shahid Siddique, a founding member of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), was orchestrated by his son, Abdul Qayyum, motivated by financial disputes and personal grievances, the Organised Crime Unit of Lahore police reported.
An unidentified assailant shot Siddique dead outside a mosque after Friday prayer in Lahore’s Valencia Town area. His son was also present at the crime scene while the incident took place, but he escaped unharmed.
Police sources reported that Qayyum had demanded a luxury car worth Rs130 million from his father as a gift for his girlfriend, who was particularly fond of the vehicle.
However, Dr Siddique refused the expensive request, which caused tension between him and his son.
As per authorities, just a week before the murder, Dr Siddique told his wife he had secretly arranged for the luxury car to be booked as a surprise birthday gift for Qayyum. The vehicle was due to be delivered to their home shortly.
Qayyum allegedly arranged his father’s murder through a hired assassin before the surprise could be revealed.
Qayyum had made a deal of Rs5 million for killing his father in January for the same reason, said police, adding he paid Rs20 million for the second attack on Siddique.
The investigation further revealed that Qayyum had a history of substance abuse, particularly involving ice (crystal methamphetamine). It was revealed by the authorities that he was also involved in a burglary at his own home a few months prior.
According to reports, Qayyum demanded a monthly allowance of Rs3 million from his father, while Dr Siddique provided him with only Rs500,000.
Dr Siddique had urged his son to abandon his harmful habits and work within the family business, but Qayyum was unwilling to comply.
Authorities identified the shooters involved in Dr. Siddique’s murder as residents of Vehari.
Following the crime, they altered their vehicle’s number plates and fled to Vehari, where police are actively conducting raids to apprehend them.
DIG Organized Crime Unit Lahore, Imran Kishwar, stated, “We will soon arrest the culprits, and more facts about the murder will be uncovered following their capture.”
Dr Siddique ran in the 2002 general elections and served as a senior member of the PTI Punjab organization for over a decade
