Update · 10 Nov 2026, 3:55 PM PKT: The Balochistan High Court announced the ruling on Tuesday and ordered Achakzai to serve his 10-year sentence as rigorous imprisonment. A Quetta local court had acquitted him in September 2020, citing insufficient evidence.
Police identified the vehicle as belonging to Achakzai. Achakzai acknowledged driving the vehicle and expressed willingness to compensate the victim's family.
The Balochistan High Court (BHC) has allowed the government’s appeal against the acquittal of Abdul Majeed Achakzai, formally overturning its September 4, 2020 verdict that had cleared him. The court has sentenced the lawmaker to 10 years in prison over the death of Traffic Sub-Inspector Haji Ataullah.
A divisional bench comprising Justice Muhammad Aamir Nawaz Rana and Justice Abdul Qayyum Lehri announced the verdict. The court found Achakzai guilty under Section 320 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and ordered him to pay diyat, compensation under Islamic law, to the heirs of the deceased.
Court orders immediate arrest of Achakzai
The High Court directed authorities to issue non-bailable arrest warrants and to take him into custody without delay. He is to be transferred to prison to serve his sentence, the court ordered.
Fatal Quetta incident and CCTV footage
Achakzai has been booked for allegedly running over Haji Ataullah on June 20, 2017, near GPO Chowk in Quetta, the Balochistan provincial capital. According to police, the traffic sergeant died after being hit by a rashly driven land cruiser while on duty on Zarghoon Road.
CCTV footage of the incident went viral on social media, triggering a campaign that demanded the legislator’s arrest. Achakzai was arrested on June 24.
