Sara Inam
Sara Inam was a Canadian national who worked as an economist and spent much of her professional life outside Pakistan. She was in Islamabad in September 2022 when she was killed at a residence in the Chak Shahzad area.
The criminal case received national attention because of the intimate-partner context, the speed with which police arrested her husband and the later debate over the role, if any, of other people present at the property.
Investigation
Police arrested Sara's husband, Shahnawaz Amir, and the investigation led to a murder prosecution. His mother, Samina Shah, was also prosecuted on an allegation of abetment. She consistently denied criminal responsibility.
The prosecution presented witness testimony, forensic material and other evidence. Crime by Region does not reproduce the more graphic details aired during the trial because they are unnecessary to understand the legal outcome.
Trial judgment
On December 14, 2023, an Islamabad district and sessions court convicted Shahnawaz Amir of intentional murder. The court imposed a death sentence and ordered financial compensation to Sara's family. The written judgment stated that the prosecution had proved the murder charge beyond the required standard.
The same court acquitted Samina Shah, giving her the benefit of doubt. That acquittal is treated separately from Shahnawaz Amir's conviction and is not rewritten as guilt.
Appeals
Shahnawaz Amir challenged his conviction in the Islamabad High Court in December 2023. In Pakistan, a death sentence also requires judicial confirmation, so the trial judgment was not the end of the appellate process.
Sara's father separately challenged Samina Shah's acquittal. On January 27, 2026, the Islamabad High Court issued notices in that appeal and indicated that arguments concerning the acquittal could bear on the main appellate proceedings.
Current status
As of the latest reliable court reporting located for this review, Shahnawaz Amir remains a convicted murderer at trial-court level, but his appeal has not been verified as finally resolved. Samina Shah remains acquitted unless and until a higher court changes that result. The file is therefore classified as Partially Adjudicated / Appeal Pending.
Timeline
September 23, 2022: Sara Inam is killed in Islamabad and police arrest Shahnawaz Amir.
2022–2023: the murder case proceeds to trial; Samina Shah is also tried on an abetment allegation.
December 14, 2023: Shahnawaz Amir is convicted of intentional murder and sentenced to death; Samina Shah is acquitted.
December 2023: Shahnawaz Amir appeals his conviction to the Islamabad High Court.
January 27, 2026: the High Court issues notices in the separate appeal challenging Samina Shah's acquittal.