Arson: 9 men get 7-year sentences

SIALKOT: Civil Judge Abdul Jabbar sentenced seven years rigorous imprisonment each to nine convicts including local Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) leader Hafiz Shehbaz Wariya for setting fire to a house worth Rs30 million.

According to the persecution, the convicts including Hafiz Shehbaz torched the house of Chaudhery Mehmood Wariya in village Aadha-Daska. The incident occurred following the assassination of a PML-N worker over a political row at a local polling station during the February 18, 2008 general elections by the rival political group led by Mehmood Wariya.

The judge also acquitted three other accused including two women on benefit of doubt. The judge also issued the arrest warrants of five other accused in the case by declaring them to be proclaimed offenders (POs).

Published in The Express Tribune, October 9^th, 2011.