Pakistan

SC issues arrest warrants for PML-N MNA

In 2003, an anti-terrorism court had awarded Chaudhry Abid Raza the death penalty

Hasnaat Malik November 18, 2015

PHOTO: NA.GOV.PK

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court issued on Wednesday arrest warrants for Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) MNA Chaudhry Abid Raza for involvement in the murder of six people in Gujrat.

The PML-N MNA who had won NA-107 Gujrat 4 election during the May 2013 general elections was awarded death penalty by an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in 2003. However, Raza was acquitted after the families of the deceased forgave him on the basis of compromise.

Official results: PML-N secures 7 seats in NA

A three-judge bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, while hearing the case related to Raza's disqualification, took notice over his acquittal in terrorism charges. The bench stated that a compromise for a case under Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 (ATA) is not allowed.

Arrest warrants were issued for Raza despite arguments put forward by his advocate, Ali Zafar.

The hearing of the case has been adjourned for two weeks.

Chaudhry Abid Raza was convicted in the murder case of six people during an assassination bid on former Gujrat Tehsil Nazim and ex-MPA Ghulam Sarwar Bhooch back in 1998.

COMMENTS (15)

Babbarsher Khan | 8 years ago | Reply Is this a joke?

syed & syed | 8 years ago | Reply @khalid:There is no provision of compromise. As per law he is convicted and be hanged. Nawaz Shareef must to give tickets to murders

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MK | 8 years ago | Reply Where is Ch. Allah Dad

Naeem Khan | 8 years ago | Reply The whole system is rotten, it is the State which should prosecute these murderers regardless of the victims families forgiveness. The forgiving business should also be revamped, we are living in the 21st century and the world is surpassing us while we are clinging to centuries old systems. Pakistanis are progressive people and Pakistan is not some autocratic, theocratic and some kind of kingdom like Saudi Arabia, our legal system is based on modern theories and should be practices as such. When we do forgiving or being coerced into forgiving, we become the laughing stock of the world.

Javed Marini | 8 years ago | Reply Nawaz Sharif should be prosecuted for abetting an accused perpetrator of mass murder to expand his influence. Like Bhutto both should be hanged.

Parvez | 8 years ago | Reply Well done SC...its high time you exercised your powers.

sabi | 8 years ago | Reply How can a person lives normal life after killing six humans.How come a party of national stature can ignore a huge black spot on a person before giving him a ticket.Pmln must give explanation for this huge negligence.This practice wouldn't be tolerated in future.

YAs | 8 years ago | Reply @Usman: Its not lack of evidence, but, compromise by victims families. Even if the families has compromised, still he is a murderer and managed to got the ticket from PML and elected as MPA....

Hippo | 8 years ago | Reply Based on out history, nothing will happen again. Although we hope against hope that something does happend and jerks like him are cut to task to make an example. By the way, 80% of our elected (may be even more that 80) have convictions on thier shinning CVs.

Shakil Ahmed Khan | 8 years ago | Reply how come a convicted criminal is able to contest elections? ECP need to come out of PMLN clutches. murderer of 6 people should be on death row, not in national assembly. SC is correct anti terrorist act doesnt allow to be pardoned by family of victims!

JS | 8 years ago | Reply Regardless of the fact that the victims' family forgave him, he murdered 6 people....A man convicted of murdering 6 people has been elected an MNA...think about that...

Usman | 8 years ago | Reply @TAJAMAL: On lack of evidence.

TAJAMAL | 8 years ago | Reply Everyone the end result - after no. of appearance in court like Ayan Ali , the accused will be set free and nothing will happen.

Bisma | 8 years ago | Reply Great job SC ..

khalid | 8 years ago | Reply This shows what pathetic & sad state of affairs our country is in, this person convicted by the court of murdering six people, on basis of compromise gets Scot free and even becomes a parliamentarian,there something terribly wrong with our system and practices...the rich and well connected can even get away with murder leave corruption etc etc.

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