- Death Penalty Awarded in 2019 Anchorperson Murder Case
Karachi: A sessions court in Karachi has sentenced Atif Zaman to death on two counts for the 2019 murder of television anchorperson Mureed Abbas and his friend Khizer Hayat. The verdict concludes one of Pakistan’s most closely followed criminal cases involving the killing of a prominent media figure.
According to Beyond Time News, the court also ordered the convict to pay financial compensation to the families of both victims and handed down an additional prison sentence in a separate illegal weapons case.
Court Hands Down Death Sentence
The additional district and sessions court found Atif Zaman guilty of murdering Mureed Abbas and Khizer Hayat, who were shot dead in Karachi’s Khayaban-e-Bukhari area on July 9, 2019.
The court awarded the death penalty on two counts, reflecting the convictions related to the killings of both victims.
Along with the capital punishment, the judge directed the convict to pay Rs500,000 to the legal heirs of each victim as compensation.
According to Beyond Time News, the compensation forms part of the court’s final judgment in the murder case.
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Arrest Warrants Issued for Co-Accused
The court also issued perpetual arrest warrants for co-accused Adil Zaman.
Judicial records showed that Adil Zaman had earlier been declared a proclaimed offender after failing to appear before the court during the proceedings.
The warrants remain in effect until he is arrested and presented before the court.
Additional Sentence in Illegal Weapons Case
Apart from the murder conviction, Atif Zaman received seven years’ imprisonment in a separate case involving the possession of illegal weapons.
The court also imposed a Rs50,000 fine in connection with that offence.
The weapons case was heard alongside the murder proceedings because it stemmed from the same incident.
Background of the Case
The case dates back to July 9, 2019, when anchorperson Mureed Abbas and his friend Khizer Hayat were fatally shot in Karachi’s Defence Housing Authority (DHA) area.
Police arrested Atif Zaman shortly after the incident, while investigations also named his brother, Adil Zaman, as an accused.
The killings attracted widespread public attention because of Mureed Abbas’s profile as a television journalist and sparked calls for a swift and transparent judicial process.
Why the Case Was Shifted to a Sessions Court
The trial initially began in an anti-terrorism court.
However, in October 2019, the Anti-Terrorism Court ruled that the allegations did not fall within the legal definition of terrorism under Pakistan’s laws.
Following that decision, the case was transferred to a sessions court, where the trial continued under ordinary criminal law.
According to Beyond Time News, the transfer changed the forum for the proceedings but did not alter the criminal charges against the accused.
Why the Verdict Matters
The judgment marks an important milestone in a case that remained under judicial consideration for several years.
Legal experts say the verdict demonstrates the role of Pakistan’s criminal justice system in handling high-profile homicide cases through the regular court process.
The ruling also highlights the importance of accountability in crimes involving journalists and civilians, while reaffirming the legal principle that serious criminal allegations must be decided through due process.
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What Happens Next?
Under Pakistani law, a death sentence issued by a trial court does not become final immediately.
The convicted individual has the legal right to challenge the judgment before the relevant High Court. Any death sentence must also go through the mandatory appellate process before it can be carried out.
Further proceedings will determine whether the conviction and sentence are upheld, modified, or overturned.
Conclusion
The Karachi sessions court’s verdict brings a major development in the long-running Mureed Abbas murder case. While Atif Zaman has been sentenced to death and received an additional prison term for illegal weapons possession, the judicial process is expected to continue through the appellate courts as provided under Pakistan’s legal system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Mureed Abbas?
Mureed Abbas was a Pakistani television anchorperson who was killed along with his friend Khizer Hayat in Karachi in July 2019.
What sentence did Atif Zaman receive?
The Karachi sessions court sentenced Atif Zaman to death on two counts for the murders and also awarded him seven years in prison in a separate illegal weapons case.
Why was the case transferred from an anti-terrorism court?
The Anti-Terrorism Court ruled that the allegations did not fall under its jurisdiction, so the case was transferred to a sessions court in October 2019.
What did the court order regarding compensation?
The court directed Atif Zaman to pay Rs500,000 to the legal heirs of each victim.
Can the death sentence be appealed?
Yes. Under Pakistani law, the convicted person has the right to appeal the verdict before the High Court, and the sentence must undergo the required appellate review.
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