Mohammed Sarwar (murderer)

Mohammed Sarwar (1967 – January 27, 2012), known as Maulvi Ghulam Sarwar or other variations, was a Pakistani murderer and suspected serial killer who was convicted and sentenced to death for killing politician and activist Zille Huma Usman in 2007. His case gained notoriety due to the fact that Sarwar had been acquitted under controversial circumstances for killing at least four prostitutes years prior, which he claimed had done because they had broken Islamic law. He died in prison in 2012 while still awaiting for his execution.

After his conviction, Sarwar was sent to Central Jail Lahore to await execution. Over the years, he began suffering from tuberculosis, which gradually worsened until his eventual death on January 27, 2012. There were allegations by some police officials that the manner in which he died was highly suspicious, but this has never been confirmed with certainty.

On February 20, 2007, Sarwar attended a gathering in Gujranwala held by Zille Huma Usman, the then-Provincial Minister for Social Welfare, who was addressing her party members about new policices. Shortly after asking her why she was not wearing a proper Islamic dress, he pulled out a gun and shot Usman in the head, causing her severe injuries that later led to her death at a hospital. After the shooting, Sarwar calmly stood and allowed himself to be arrested by authorities, proclaiming that he was just "doing his duty" by cleansing the world of immoral women. In the aftermath of the murder, police launched an investigation to see whether he had any connections to extremist Islamic groups, but none such links were found.

Between November 3, 2002 and January 2003, at least four prostitutes were killed in Gujranwala and Lahore, and several others left injured or permanently damaged from the attacks. The perpetrator's modus operandi was to either shoot or stab the victims just above the crotch, and then leave them to bleed out. In early 2003, Sarwar was arrested and charged with the murders, proudly proclaiming that he had killed at least twelve women in these several months because they were "immoral" and went against the teachings of Islam.

Mohammed Sarwar was born in Gujranwala in 1967. While little is known of his upbringing, his neighbors claimed that he was greatly influenced by his mother, a very religious woman who strictly adhered to the Ahl-i Hadith sect's teachings and observed purdah. After graduating from PB Model School, he attended various madrasas and eventually became a preacher who taught at local mosques. He lived with his wife and nine children in the district of Baghbanpura.