Key Takeaways
- A sessions court in Karachi has sentenced Atif Zaman to death for the 2019 killing of TV anchor Mureed Abbas.
- Adil Zaman, brother of the prime suspect, was declared an absconder after escaping following his bail cancellation.
- The incident occurred on July 9, 2019, in Karachi’s Khayaban-i-Bukhari area and involved a business dispute.
A sessions court in Karachi has sentenced Atif Zaman to death for the murder of TV anchor Mureed Abbas and his friend Khizer Hayat. The verdict was handed down on Thursday, marking a significant development in the case that had been under investigation since 2019.
The incident took place on July 9, 2019, in Karachi’s Khayaban-i-Bukhari area, where Abbas and his business partner Hayat were gunned down. According to police reports, both men sustained multiple bullet wounds; Abbas was killed instantly, while Hayat succumbed to his injuries at a private hospital.
The case initially faced scrutiny when it was transferred from an anti-terrorism court to a sessions court in October 2019. The anti-terrorism court ruled that the offence did not fall within its jurisdiction, leading to the transfer and subsequent trial by a sessions court.
Atif Zaman and his brother Adil Zaman were arrested for their involvement in the murder. While Atif was convicted, Adil managed to escape following the cancellation of his bail by the Supreme Court’s Karachi registry. He has since been declared an absconder, complicating efforts to bring him to justice.
Daniyal Muhammad Hussain, part of Abbas's legal team, provided details on the case during a press briefing. 'Adil Zaman was not present in court for the sentencing,' he stated, adding that his client would continue to fight for justice for Mureed Abbas and his family.
The murder of Mureed Abbas, who worked as an anchorperson for Bol News, sent shockwaves through Pakistan’s media industry. The case has been closely followed by both local and international media outlets due to its high-profile nature and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Legal experts have praised the swift justice delivered in this case but also highlighted the challenges faced in apprehending Adil Zaman. 'The death sentence for Atif Zaman is a step forward, but the continued absence of Adil Zaman remains a significant concern,' said Ali Raza, a legal analyst at the University of Karachi.
As the legal process continues, Abbas's family and supporters remain hopeful that justice will be served. The case serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in Pakistan’s criminal justice system, particularly in high-profile cases involving media personalities.
