KARACHI:
The Anti-Terrorism Court hearing the murder case of Sarfaraz Shah sentenced to death the Rangers official who shot the youth, while six others were given life term on Friday.
According to Judge Bashir Ahmed Khoso who delivered the verdict, Shahid Zafar, the Rangers official who shot the youth, will be hanged. The other five accused personnel and one civilian Asfar Khan, have been given life imprisonment.
Express 24/7 correspondent Ahmed Jung reported that it is presently unclear if the defence counsel will appeal the verdict.
Sentenced and fined
AFP reported that the Rangers official who was handed the death penalty has also been fined of Rs200,000 ($2,300).
“The crime of killing Sarfraz Shah has been proved against you and I announce the death sentence and also impose a fine of Rs200,00.
” said Khoso, addressing Zafar.
He handed life terms to five other Rangers personnel and Asfar Khan who had accused Shah of robbery and dragged him over to them. The judge ordered each to pay Rs100,000 to the victim’s family.
Reactions
The family of Shah, including his brother Salik Shah were present during the hearing, where slogans of “justice has been done” were shouted.
Roznama Express correspondent Shakir Sultan reported that the convicted men say they prayed all night long, and are fasting.
Talking to the media, the victim’s brother thanked the Chief Justice of Pakistan for taking suo motu notice of the incident.
He also urged the High Court to uphold the Anti-Terrorism court’s verdict if and when the convicts approach it.
He also said the police tried hard to save the culprits, adding that he however trusts the court.
The victim’s parents also seemed content with the verdict.
His mother said the person who dragged Sarfraz to the Rangers should also be given death sentence.
She also requested the High Court to uphold the anti-terrorism court’s verdict.
Background
Shah was shot at point blank range in the Benazir Bhutto park in an incident filmed live and broadcast on television. Footage of the incident, filmed by an Awaaz TV cameraman, was broadcast repeatedly on local television stations.
In it, a Rangers official can be seen dragging the boy, then throwing him towards half a dozen armed comrades, one of whom then shot the youth twice at point-blank range as he begged for his life.
The five Rangers were subsequently arrested and taken to the Rangers headquarters and Jinnah Court in Karachi.
