Imran Ali, the man convicted of raping and murdering seven-year-old girl Zainab, was hanged on early Wednesday. Imran was executed in the presence of both Magistrate Adil Sarwar and the deceased’s father, Muhammad Amin, both of whom arrived early morning at the Kot Lakhpat Jail. His brother as well as two friends was also present. Imran was awarded a death sentence on 21 counts after he was convicted of the rape and murder of at least eight minor girls, including Zainab. He was executed at the Central Jail Lahore at 5:30 AM. On Tuesday, jail authorities arranged the convict’s last meeting with his family, which lasted for some 45 minutes. Zainab was kidnapped on January 4 from near her aunt’s house in Kasur and, five days later, was found dead in a garbage heap. On January 23, authorities had claimed to have apprehended Imran- a serial killer involved in other similar crimes – through a DNA match. His DNA also matched the samples taken from seven other minor girls, who were abused and murdered earlier in Kasur, police had confirmed. He had confessed to his heinous crimes following his arrest. On February 17, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) hearing the case of Zainab’s rape and murder had sentenced Imran to death on four counts. Appealing against the ATC’s verdict, Imran had claimed innocence before the Lahore High Court and pleaded for the verdict to be declared null and void. On June 12, the Supreme Court’s Lahore Registry dismissed Imran’s appeal against the death sentence handed to him for raping and murdering the minor girl. Last week, a special ATC had issued black warrants for the convict. Published in Daily Times, October 18th 2018.