A sessions court in Karachi has sentenced a man to death on two counts for the 2019 murders of television anchor Mureed Abbas and his friend, Khizer Hayat. The ruling follows a lengthy legal process that began after the two victims were shot in the city’s Khayaban-i-Bukhari area on July 9, 2019.
Case Background and Legal Proceedings
The victims, Mureed Abbas—a Bol News anchor—and Khizer Hayat, were business partners of the suspects, Atif Zaman and his brother, Adil Zaman. According to police records, the incident was initially characterized as a personal dispute. Following the shooting, Hayat was transported to a private hospital but succumbed to his injuries after sustaining two bullet wounds.
The legal trajectory of the case shifted in October 2019, when it was moved from an anti-terrorism court to a sessions court. The anti-terrorism court ruled that the nature of the offence did not fall within its legal jurisdiction.
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Status of the Co-Accused
While Atif Zaman has faced sentencing, the status of his brother and co-accused, Adil Zaman, remains unresolved. Daniyal Muhammad Hussain, a member of the legal team representing the wife of Mureed Abbas, stated that Adil Zaman has been declared an absconder. This designation followed his escape after the Supreme Court’s Karachi registry cancelled his bail.
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Potential Legal Implications
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the victims in the 2019 Karachi shooting?
The victims were Mureed Abbas, a Bol News anchor, and his friend and business partner, Khizer Hayat.
Why was the case moved from an anti-terrorism court?
In October 2019, the anti-terrorism court ruled that the offence did not fall within its ambit, leading to the transfer of the case to a sessions court.
What is the current status of Adil Zaman?
Adil Zaman has been declared an absconder after he escaped following the cancellation of his bail by the Supreme Court’s Karachi registry.
How does the resolution of high-profile cases like this affect public trust in the judicial process?