Rabia Ahsan was a familiar face on Pakistani television. But her death inside her Rawalpindi home has left viewers asking a very different question: who is her husband, Ahsan Tahir, the man accused of shooting her?

The news of Pakistani news anchor Rabia Ahsan's death has left many people struggling to understand what happened. She was 41, had two daughters and was working as a television journalist. Just hours before the incident, she had reportedly shared one of her regular news broadcasts online.

Then came the shocking news that she had been shot at home.

Her husband, Ahsan Tahir, was taken into police custody. And almost immediately, attention turned towards the man who had shared a home and family with the journalist for years.

So, who is Ahsan Tahir? What do we know about his background, his marriage to Rabia and the events that led to her death?

by TOI Lifestyle Desk

Unlike Rabia, who regularly appeared in front of television cameras, Ahsan Tahir has largely kept a low profile.

According to reports by Pakistani media outlets, including The Nation, he works with the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF), a government organisation that looks after the interests of Pakistanis living abroad. He has been identified in reports as a deputy director.

Some reports have also referred to him as Ahsan Tahir Khan.

There isn't much publicly available information about his personal life or professional background beyond these details. He wasn't a familiar public figure, and his name had rarely attracted attention before the shooting.

That changed when police arrested him in connection with his wife's death.

Rabia and Ahsan had reportedly been married for 16 years

One detail that has particularly surprised people following the case is the length of their marriage.

Rabia and Ahsan had reportedly been together for around 16 years and had two daughters. To people who knew them, the news of the shooting came as a shock, according to accounts carried by Pakistani media.

But how things were inside their home is still unclear.

There has been speculation about what may have happened between the couple before the incident. However, no verified information has established a specific argument, ongoing marital dispute or motive.

And until investigators establish what led to the shooting, it would be unfair to treat social media speculation as fact.

This is one of the most disturbing parts of the case.

According to reports, Ahsan allegedly told investigators that the shooting was accidental and that he didn't realise the gun was loaded.

The claim has attracted considerable attention, particularly because Rabia's family has accused him of deliberately shooting her.

Police recovered a .30-bore pistol and ammunition from the house. Investigators are also examining the weapon and other evidence to establish exactly what happened.

There is a significant difference between what the suspect reportedly claims and what investigators may ultimately establish. His explanation has not been accepted as a final finding, and the circumstances of the shooting remain under investigation.

The shooting reportedly took place at around 3 pm on November 8.

According to details published by Pakistani news outlets, Rabia's mother and sister were also at the residence but were outside the bedroom when they heard a gunshot.

Her sister rushed inside after hearing the sound and reportedly found Rabia lying on the floor with gunshot injuries.

Ahsan was allegedly present with the firearm when the family members entered the room.

Rabia had reportedly suffered injuries to her neck and the right side of her back. Despite efforts to save her, she died.

Her brother subsequently approached the police and filed a complaint accusing Ahsan of shooting his sister.

The police took the accused into custody and began investigating the circumstances surrounding the death.

Another detail that has stayed with viewers is Rabia's final broadcast.

She had reportedly uploaded a news video just hours before the shooting. In the segment, she discussed the US midterm elections.

For someone who watched her regularly, it was an ordinary piece of news coverage. There was nothing in the video to suggest what would happen later that day.

Since news of her death emerged, the clip has been shared widely online.

It has also brought attention back to Rabia's life as a working journalist and mother, rather than allowing the entire story to revolve around the allegations against her husband.