KARACHI: A special Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) at the Judicial Complex Central Jail in Karachi has sentenced the prime accused, Atif Zaman, to death twice for the murder of TV anchorperson Mureed Abbas and his associate, Khizar Hayat, concluding a high-profile legal battle that spanned seven years. Alongside the capital punishment, the court imposed a fine of PKR 1 million to be paid directly to the victims’ grieving families. Meanwhile, the court issued perpetual arrest warrants for the co-accused and Atif’s brother, Adil Zaman, who went into hiding after the Supreme Court of Pakistan rejected his bail plea and has already been declared a proclaimed offender. Throughout the lengthy trial, renowned lawyer and social activist Jibran Nasir represented the victims’ families, successfully securing the conviction by presenting concrete forensic evidence and solid witness testimonies.
The tragic incident dates back to July 9, 2019, when Atif Zaman and his brother opened fire on Mureed Abbas and Khizar Hayat in Karachi’s Defence area over a business-related financial dispute. Following the brutal killings, a case containing terrorism and murder charges was registered at the Darakhshan Police Station, culminating in this landmark judgment based on overwhelming evidence.
