IHC rejects appeals of three convicts in Dr Imran Farooq murder case

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday rejected appeals of three convicts in Dr Imran Farooq's murder case and upheld the life sentences handed down by an anti-terrorism court.

A two-member bench headed by Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard the appeals of convicts Khalid Shamim, Mohsin Ali and Moazzam Ali. The court reserved its decision after hearing the arguments of the appellants' lawyers and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) prosecutor Khawaja Imtiaz.

An anti-terrorism court earlier had sentenced the three accused to life imprisonment and also ordered to pay a fine of Rs1 million to the victim's wife as compensation.

Read more: UK agrees to share evidence in Imran Farooq murder case

Dr Farooq, a founding member of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), was stabbed and bludgeoned to death near his apartment in London in September 2010.

Later in 2015, the FIA registered a case against MQM founder Altaf Hussain for allegedly ordering the murder while nominating three other accused – Khalid Shamim, Mohsin Ali and Moazzam Ali.

However, on May 13, the suspects retracted their confessional statements before ATC judge Arjumand and recorded their fresh statements at a hearing held at Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail. The suspects decided not to present any witnesses in their defence.

Also read: Altaf ordered Dr Farooq’s murder, rules court

Dr Farooq was assassinated in London in 2010 but the FIA had registered a case five years later.

A UKCA letter showed that Pakistani authorities would use evidence only against suspects Khalid Shamim, Mohsin Ali and Moazzam Ali. Pakistan had assured the UK that it would distance itself away from the death penalty in its correspondence on June 26, 2019, the letter stated.

As per the understanding, all three suspects will be kept in custody with due regard for international human rights. As per sources, UK Central Authority has forwarded a copy of the letter to its metropolitan police in London.