Suspect 'may try to flee country'

The news came as detectives try to close the net on their prime suspect in the murder of Nazia Ahmed.

Airports have been alerted to look out for the 26-year-old.

And officers said they are also looking into his network of friends and relatives in the UK and Pakistan.

Zameer came to England from Pakistan in 2002 for his arranged marriage to Nazia.

Detectives do not think he returned to his home in Shear Bank Road following the stabbing, which was reported to the police at 1.34pm on Saturday.

Det Sup Mick Gradwell said: "We've got his passports but that doesn't necessarily stop somebody from leaving the country.

"I would prefer to look in the local area first and widen out further but obviously it is a possibility that he may wish to leave the country and as such we have airport warnings out for Zameer."

He added: "With the incident happening at half past one, if he has got help from somebody or if he had money on himself it would be feasible he has changed his clothing by now.

"It would be quite clear that from the evidence you can see at the scene that he would be heavily blood-stained after the attack.

"It may be one of first things he does is try and obtain a change of clothing."

In appealing for the public's help in finding Zameer, Dep Supt Gradwell said officers had "nothing that gives us a firm lead as to where he may be now."

He said: "I really need people to ring in to assist us.

"We are still trying to trace his background, where he's likely to go and it's in that kind of area that we really are seeking the help of people who know."

Zameer is 5ft 10ins, slim to medium build with a short beard with thick, swept back black hair.

He was wearing brown and green coloured jeans and a stone coloured short casual jacket maroon shirt at the time of the attack.

Anyone with information should contact Blackburn Police on 01254 51212 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Officers are available to speak to callers in Punjabi and Urdu.