Conviction: Two sentenced to 14 years in prison

KARACHI: An anti-terrorism court sentenced on Wednesday two gangsters to 14 years in prison after convicting them of taking extortion from a trader two years ago. Ghazi and Atif Sheikh, affiliated with the banned Peoples Amn Committee (PAC), were proven guilty of taking protection money from a businessman, Nomanullah, working in the Old City area. According to the prosecution, they had demanded Rs200,000 from Nomanullah and had threatened him of dire consequences in case he fails to pay. The extortionists used the name of PAC kingpin Uzair Jan Baloch, who is now in Rangers’ custody. The extortionists were caught red-handed while collecting the money in Mithadar. The court examined the testimonies of the witnesses, including the victim, and observed that the charges levelled were proven. The convicts were also ordered to pay Rs50,000 as fine otherwise undergo an additional four-month imprisonment.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 11^th,  2016.