Kidnapping for ransom: Three get life term on two counts

FAISALABAD: An anti-terrorism court has awarded life imprisonment on two counts to three men – Aamir Shehzad, Akhtar Hussain and Shabbir Ahmad – in a kidnapping for ransom case. The fourth suspect, Tariq, was given benefit of doubt and acquitted of the charges. Another suspect, Sharafat Ali, who is at large was declared a proclaimed offender.They had kidnapped Salman Hameed in 2010. Hameed was released after Rs20 million was paid in ransom. On Friday, ATC Judge Ishtiaq Ahmad found the three guilty and sentenced them to life imprisonment.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 11^th, 2012.