Death warrant re-issued for Saulat Mirza

ATC orders prison authorities to hang Mirza on April 1 at the Mach Jail

KARACHI: An anti-terrorism court in Karachi re-issued a black warrant against death-row convict and target killer Saulat Mirza on Tuesday.

Mirza will be executed on April 1 at 5:30am in Mach Jail, Balochistan, a court official told The Express Tribune.

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) activist was sentenced to death in 1999 on charges of murdering former managing director of Karachi Electric Supply Corporation Shahid Hamid along with his driver Ashraf Brohi and guard Akbar Khan in July 1997 in Karachi.

However, his execution was halted just a few hours before his hanging after his confessional video was aired on a private TV channel.

Read: MQM chief ordered KESC director’s assassination, claims Saulat

In the video, Mirza alleged that he received the order for the ‘hit’ from MQM chief Altaf Hussain at MQM leader Babar Ghauri’s residence - a claim rejected by the party.

Read: Altaf Hussain rejects Mirza’s allegations as ‘lies’

Speculation is rife that Mirza would not be executed as the government is planning to make him an approver against Altaf and other MQM leaders following his confessional.

A court official, on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that no intimation regarding re-opening of Mirza's case or staying his warrants were received from the authorities.