In a significant development in the high-profile murder case of anchorperson Mureed Abbas, an additional district and sessions court in Karachi handed down a death sentence to the prime accused, Atif Zaman, on Thursday. The verdict relates to the brutal killing of Mureed Abbas and his friend Khizer Hayat, which occurred in Karachi’s Khayaban-e-Bukhari area on July 9, 2019. This case has drawn considerable public attention due to the victims’ prominence and the circumstances surrounding the crime.
Atif Zaman, along with his brother Adil Zaman, was initially arrested by police in connection with the double murder. While Atif faced trial and conviction, Adil Zaman remains at large, with the court issuing perpetual arrest warrants against him. Notably, the trial court had previously declared Adil a proclaimed offender, underscoring the ongoing efforts to bring all involved parties to justice.
Besides the death sentence on two counts related to the murders, the court also ordered Atif Zaman to pay Rs500,000 in compensation to the legal heirs of both victims. This financial penalty aims to provide some measure of restitution to the families affected by this tragic incident. Furthermore, in a separate case concerning illegal weapons possession, Atif was sentenced to seven years imprisonment and fined Rs50,000, reflecting the court’s comprehensive approach to addressing his criminal activities.
The case’s jurisdictional journey is also noteworthy. Initially tried in an anti-terrorism court, the matter was transferred to the sessions court in October 2019 after the ATC determined that the offense did not fall within its purview. This transfer ensured that the case was handled appropriately within the judicial system, culminating in the recent verdict. The sentencing marks a crucial step in the pursuit of justice for Mureed Abbas and Khizer Hayat’s families and highlights the judiciary’s role in addressing violent crimes in Karachi.
