Mashal Khan murder: PHC acquits 25 sentenced to imprisonment by ATC

Mashal's father filed appeal against sentencing

PESHAWAR/ ISLAMABAD: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Tuesday acquitted 25 people who were sentenced to three years imprisonment by an anti-terrorism court (ATC) in the Mashal Khan murder case.

The ATC had previously handed them three years in jail, but after submitting surety bonds in the PHC, all 25 have been acquitted. The decision, announced by judge Fazal-e-Subhan Khan at Haripur Central Jail, convicted sentenced 25 others under section 297/148/149 PPC to one (1) year R I and Under section 11-WW ATA, 1997 to 3 years R I.

The convicted persons filed an appeal in the PHC against their sentencing and submitted surety bonds to guarantee their release. The Supreme Court (SC) also accepted the 25 suspects’ bail plea while the entire sentencing will be read out later.



Mashal’s father also submitted a petition in the court against the sentencing of the suspects. The family had also filed an appeal challenging an anti-terrorism court’s decision to exonerate 26 suspects in the Mashal Khan lynching case.

The appeal, filed by victim’s brother, Aimal Khan, urges PHC to award capital punishment to the 26 exonerated students of Abdul Wali Khan University.

Earlier today, the SC disposed of the Mashal Khan murder suo motu case after conviction of several accused by an ATC. A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar observed that as the trial has concluded and the accused persons have been convicted, there is no need to further proceed.

A senior law officer from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa told the bench that the provincial government has already filed an appeal against the acquittal of some accused persons.