Police probing the murder of Dr Warda Mushtaq have uncovered major financial irregularities linked to the prime suspect, Rida, including 17 bank accounts opened in the names of different individuals, sources said on Saturday.

According to investigators, Rida used these accounts to obtain more than 70 tola of gold as loans. Sources said she also secured loans exceeding Rs20 million against jewellery.

Of the 17 accounts, eight were opened in the names of men and eight in the names of women, while only one account was registered in Rida’s own name.

Investigators said loans worth around Rs1.2 million were taken directly in her name against jewellery.

The details emerged during ongoing police investigations, with authorities continuing to scrutinise the accounts and loan transactions.

Earlier, the provincial government reconstituted the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) probing the case.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief secretary removed Abbottabad DPO Haroon Rashid from the JIT and appointed AIG Sonia Shamroz as the police representative.

The JIT is headed by Provincial Inspection Team Chairman Khayam Hassan.

The JIT recorded statements of more than 30 individuals a day earlier and also visited Dr Warda’s residence to record statements from family members. Statements of police officers and officials have also been documented.

The JIT is expected to finalise its report within five days and submit it to the chief secretary.

Meanwhile, residents of the area said the house where Dr Warda was brought and allegedly killed has yet to be sealed by the police.