MQM worker sentenced to 14 years in jail

He was convicted of possessing an unlicensed pistol and hand grenade

KARACHI: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) sentenced on Friday a political activist to 14 years in jail in a case of possessing an illicit weapon and explosives.

Zeeshan, said to be a worker of the Landhi sector of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), was arrested by the police in 2016 and an unlicensed pistol and hand grenade were found in his possession, maintained the prosecution.

On the other hand, the defence pleaded that the accused was innocent and falsely implicated in the case. He was picked up by the Rangers and later handed over to the police, they said.



After listening to the arguments and examining the evidence, the ATC-IX judge found the accused guilty of the offence and observed that the prosecution successfully established its case.

Zeeshan was given 14 years for the offence of possessing dangerous explosives and seven years for the offence of carrying an unlicensed weapon. The judge, however, extended him the benefit of having both sentences run at the same time. He was also fined Rs50,000, which in case of default would turn into a six-month additional imprisonment.

The case was registered under Section 23(1)a of the Sindh Arms Act, 2013 and Sections 4 and 5 of the Explosives Substances Act, 1908, read with Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.