Court hands death sentence to murder convict

Zahid murdered his father-in-law following domestic dispute

DERA GHAZI KHAN:

The District and Sessions Judge of Dera Ghazi Khan, Muhammad Abbas, has sentenced a man involved in a murder case to death.

The accused has also been fined Rs500,000 to be paid to the heirs of the victim. In case of non-payment, the court ordered an additional six months of imprisonment.

According to the prosecution, the incident occurred in Rukanabad Colony, under the jurisdiction of the Civil Lines police station, where the accused, Zahid, frequently quarreled with his wife Saima. Following a dispute that led his wife to return to her parental home, Zahid attempted to reconcile with her.

Failing to do so, he allegedly opened fire and killed his father-in-law, Zafar Hussain, before fleeing the scene.

The victim's son, Muhammad Saleem, told police that his father, Zafar Hussain, worked as a watchman at the Accountability Court.

On July 22, 2024, Zahid, armed with a pistol and accompanied by his accomplice Aslam, arrived at their home, demanded the return of his wife, and during a heated argument, shot his father-in-law, seriously injuring him.

Zafar Hussain succumbed to his injuries a few hours later. The Civil Lines police registered a case on the complaint of Muhammad Saleem, arrested the accused, and recovered the murder weapon.

After completing the challan, the court heard the case. Upon the evidence presented and the conviction, District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Abbas handed down the death sentence, imposed a Rs500,000 fine to the victim's heirs, and stipulated six months additional imprisonment if the fine is not paid. The accused has been sent to jail to serve his sentence.