Drug peddler sentenced to death for killing cop

Two other suspects were acquitted in the 2010 case for lack of evidence


Our Correspondent May 18, 2017
The court awarded death sentence to Salah Muhammad and 40 years jail imprisonment to Muhammad Asif . PHOTO: AFP

KARACHI: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) sentenced on Wednesday a 'drug peddler' to death after he was found guilty of killing a police constable for taking action against him and a gang in Baldia Town seven years ago. Meanwhile, the court acquitted two other suspects due to lack of evidence.

Afaq Ahmed was convicted of the murder of Tariq Abbasi. The victim was shot dead, while his accomplice Muhammad Fayyaz, who is also a policeman, was injured in an armed ambush in Rasheedabad while they were patrolling the area on a motorcycle.

According to the prosecution, aside from being a drug dealer in Baldia Town, Afaq was also involved in several cases of crime. On different occasions, he had threatened the slain policeman for taking action against his gang and hindering their activities.

Man awarded death sentence

During the trial, the court examined the testimonies of 10 witnesses. This included the policeman who was wounded in the incident. The witnesses deposed against Afaq and testified about his role in the firing incident that claimed Tariq's life.

Initially, the case was placed before a District West sessions court. Its judge, however, observing the circumstances of the commission of the offence had said the case fell within the ambit of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997. Therefore, the case was sent to ATC-II for disposal.

A total of four persons - Afaq, Ashfaq Ahmed, Shakeel Ahmed and Zauk - were nominated in the FIR. Among them, Ashfaq and Shakeel had obtained bail and were eventually exonerated of the charges after the prosecution failed to prove the offence on their part. The fourth person, however, remained absconding throughout the trial and the case against him has been placed on dormant.

Murder case: Man awarded death sentence

While awarding capital punishment to Afaq, the judge directed that after the expiry of the appeal period, the authorities destroy the blood stained clothes of the deceased that were used as case properties. Meanwhile, the court asked the investigators to submit the recovered pistols and bullets from the accused with the government's armoury department.

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