LHC upholds sentence of convict involved in attack on Qadri's counsel

Convict submits he was implicated in FIR despite having nothing to do with the case

LAHORE: A division bench of the Lahore High Court upheld on Tuesday the conviction of the attacker of former LHC chief justice Khawaja Muhammad Sharif -- counsel of Mumtaz Qadri -- and his wife, by dismissing his appeal against a 100-year jail term.


Muhammad Yousaf, the convict, had attacked Sharif on January 20, 2004, with a meat cleaver in his house -- 542-S Defence Housing Authority.

Yousaf, in his appeal, submitted that he was implicated in the FIR despite having nothing to do with the case. He said he used to be a domestic servant for Sharif, and was nominated in the FIR on suspicion.

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A deputy prosecutor general, however, submitted that Yousaf had attacked Justice Sharif and severely injured him. He said Justice Sharif had himself nominated him in the FIR.

After hearing the arguments, the court dismissed his appeal.

According to details, sacked by the family, following a theft, Yousaf attacked the judge and his wife with a chopper. He was nabbed by the Defence Housing Authority security staff when he attempted to make a run.

Police registered a case against Yousaf for attempted murder. The accused by Justice Sharif was sacked upon suspicion of theft. He was sent to jail after a court sentenced him for the offence. However, the judge later pardoned him and he was released.

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After being released, the accused reportedly entered their DHA house sometime around midnight with the chopper. As he was familiar with the house, he hid close to the judge’s room. As Sharif rose for his Tahajjud prayers at around 3:30am, the accused attacked him. Sharif was injured in the neck and face. When his wife came to his rescue, the accused hit her too, leaving her teeth broken.

When she cried for help, the accused took to his heels but was caught by the DHA security staff.