Pindi courts acquit most accused

Criminal courts convict only 1,660 of 6,405 cases in ten months

RAWALPINDI:

Nearly three-fourths of the criminal cases decided by Rawalpindi's sessions and civil courts during the first 10 months of 2026 ended in acquittals as 4,745 cases resulted in the release of the accused, while convictions were secured in only 1,660, raising serious questions about the quality of police investigations and prosecution, particularly in cases involving serious and violent crimes.

Between January 1 and October 31, the courts heard a total of 63,824 cases and delivered verdicts in 6,405. Of these, 4,745 cases ended in acquittals owing to insufficient evidence, false cases or witnesses turning hostile, while the accused were convicted in the remaining 1,660 cases.

The convictions included 41 death sentences and 24 life imprisonment terms, while 130 accused were sentenced to 10 years in prison each, 21 received prison terms ranging from five to seven years, and 599 were sentenced to imprisonment ranging from six months to three years.

The convicted accused were also collectively fined Rs51.611 million.

In addition, 424 accused involved in various offences were sentenced to one year's probation after being given strict warnings, as they were first-time offenders. They will be required to appear before probation officers during the one-year period and refrain from committing any further offence.

The offence-wise figures reveal particularly dismal conviction rates in several categories, including attempted murder, abduction of women, sexual abuse of children and students, dacoity, robbery, theft and fraud.

In a number of these cases, the number of acquittals substantially exceeded convictions.

Murder and attempted murder

The sessions court heard 565 murder cases during the 10-month period, of which 173 were decided. The accused were convicted in 59 cases, while 114 ended in acquittals.

In cases involving attempted murder, 1,730 cases came up for hearing, with verdicts delivered in 146. The accused were acquitted in 131 cases, while convictions were secured in only 15.

Abduction and sexual offences

A total of 476 cases involving the abduction of women came up for hearing, of which 13 were decided. All the accused in these cases were acquitted, with no convictions recorded.

Similarly, 297 cases involving the sexual abuse of children and students were taken up by the courts. Verdicts were delivered in only eight cases, all of which ended in acquittals, with none of the accused convicted.

Theft, vehicle theft and robbery

The courts heard 2,664 cases of ordinary theft, resulting in 66 convictions, with each convicted accused receiving a three-year prison sentence. The aggregate fines imposed in these cases amounted to Rs187,000.

In 2,702 cases involving theft from houses and shops, 401 cases ended in acquittals, while 79 accused were convicted. The total fines imposed amounted to Rs279,000.

In cases involving theft by employees working in houses and shops, 1,135 cases went to trial. The accused were acquitted in 27 cases, while nine resulted in convictions. The aggregate fines imposed in these cases amounted to Rs75,000.

The courts also took up 4,572 cases involving car and motorcycle theft, resulting in 242 convictions and 343 acquittals. The total fines imposed amounted to Rs924,000.

Drug offences and other cases

A total of 1,842 cases involving drug supply and trafficking under Sections 9-A, 9-B and 9-C of the relevant narcotics law came up for trial. Of these, 136 resulted in convictions, while 233 cases were declared false or found to involve fabricated recoveries, leading to the honourable acquittal of the accused.

In cases involving criminal breach of trust, 2,059 cases were heard, resulting in 56 acquittals, while no convictions were recorded.

The courts also heard 2,209 fraud and swindling cases, of which only five resulted in convictions, while 58 ended in acquittals.

Weak investigations

Commenting on the high acquittal rate, Supreme Court advocate and criminal law expert Shan Zhaib Khan said the absence of solid evidence in police challans, the use of false witnesses, presenting police personnel as witnesses despite official records showing that they were not present at the crime scene, and fabricated recoveries were among the major reasons behind the acquittal of accused persons.

He said courts were required to decide cases on the basis of the evidence available on the record, adding that witnesses giving false testimony invariably faltered during court proceedings.