An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Monday convicted Peer Zaheer-ul-Hassan Shah, leader of a banned religious party, for inciting the murder of a former senior judicial figure.
The court sentenced him to 10 years’ imprisonment along with a Rs 200,000 fine under Section 7(1)(b) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997; five years imprisonment with Rs 100,000 fine under Section 7(g); five years’ imprisonment with Rs 100,000 fine under Section 21-L; five years imprisonment with Rs 100,000 fine under Section 11-W; seven years imprisonment with Rs100,000 fine under Section 505 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC); three years imprisonment under Section 117 PPC; and six months under Section 188 PPC. All sentences were ordered to run concurrently.
The verdict was announced by ATC Judge Arshad Javed, who also directed that the convict be shifted to jail immediately.
Peer Zaheer-ul-Hassan Shah was produced before the court from jail for final arguments and the announcement of the verdict. During the trial, the prosecution presented statements of 15 witnesses. Deputy Prosecutor Abdul Jabbar Dogar urged the court to award punishment to the accused, while Advocate Rana Maqsood-ul-Haq represented him and presented final arguments. The defence did not fully deny the authenticity of the allegations.
According to the prosecution, a case against Peer Zaheer-ul-Hassan Shah was registered at Qila Gujjar Singh police station. The accused allegedly delivered an inflammatory speech near Shimla Pahari, during which he incited party workers in 2024 to kill the former chief justice. He also announced a reward of Rs 100 million for anyone who would carry out the killing. The speech was delivered during a rally of the religious party.
Court remands DSP in police custody
A local court on Monday granted a three-day physical remand of DSP Usman Haider, who has been accused of murdering his wife and daughter.
Judicial Magistrate Ali Akbar conducted the hearing after the police produced the accused before the court. The police had requested a 14-day physical remand, but the court partially approved the request, granting a three-day remand instead.
The court directed that Usman Haider be presented again after the completion of the remand period. It also asked the police to submit a report on the investigation carried out during the remand at the next hearing. The case has been registered by Barki Police Station.