Death, life terms awarded in Khanewal murder case

KHANEWAL:

An additional district and sessions court in Khanewal has handed down a death sentence to one accused and life imprisonment to a local political figure in a high-profile murder case that shook the city last year.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Muzammil Sappra announced the verdict in the 2024 murder of Zafar Gujjar, a municipal employee who was shot dead while on his way from home to the municipal office.

The assailants had opened fire and fled the scene. A case was registered at City Police Station Khanewal.

Despite initial investigations, police were unable to trace the culprits.

The then District Police Officer, Muhammad Ismail Kharak, later transferred the case to the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA).

Sub-Inspector Shafqat Sarsana led the probe and arrested the alleged main shooter, Fazal Lodhi.

During interrogation, Lodhi reportedly made sensational disclosures, alleging that prominent town planner and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) National Assembly ticket-holder Rana Abdul Rehman had commissioned the killing.

According to investigators, the contract for the murder was allegedly given to Nazir Ahmed alias Nazira Owad, with co-accused including Zain Ahmed, Mahinda Owad, and Fazal Lodhi himself.