Court acquits Uzair Baloch in two cases

A local court acquitted Lyari gang war kingpin Uzair Baloch in two cases, pertaining to attempted murder and police encounter, on Thursday.

The South additional and sessions judge acquitted Uzair after the prosecution failed to produce evidence of accusations against the Lyari gangster.

"The prosecution has failed to produce witnesses against Uzair and in the absence of evidence, he cannot be penalised," the court stated, directing the relevant authorities to release Uzair from jail if he is not accused in any other cases.

Uzair and others accused in the case were booked for attacking police with the intention of murder in Kalakot. As a result of the attack, the police said, an ASI, Abdul Waheed was shot and injured. They added that the accused had fled after the cops opened fire in retaliation.

According to the police, cases pertaining attempted murder and police encounter were registered against Uzair and others at Kalakot and Chakiwara police stations on April 1, 2012, and others accused in the cases were acquitted earlier.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 8^th, 2021.