SC rejects Jatoi's appeal for transfer of Shahzeb murder case

E-Paper | July 29, 2026

KARACHI: The Supreme Court Monday rejected an application filed by Shahrukh Jatoi, the main person convicted in the Shahzeb murder case, seeking transfer of the case from an anti-terrorism court (ATC) to a district and sessions court, DawnNews reported.

Jatoi’s family members had filed an application at the Supreme Court’s Karachi Registry on June 4. The petition was filed against the decision of the Sindh High Court that had dismissed the application for the transfer of the case.

The apex court, however, rejected the appeal today.

Jatoi’s family members had also submitted an application seeking transfer of the case in the High Court, which had also been dismissed.

Twenty-year-old Shahzeb Khan was gunned down on the night of December 24, 2012 when he was returning home along with his sister after attending a wedding. Shahzeb, son of a DSP, was murdered reportedly after he had an altercation with one of the convicts’ servant who had allegedly given verbal threats to the victim’s sister.

Jatoi, Siraj Talpur, his younger brother Sajjad Talpur and their house servant Ghulam Murtaza Lashari were found guilty of killing Shahzeb in Karachi's Defence Housing Authority (DHA).

An ATC in Karachi sentenced Jatoi to death in its verdict on June 8. Moreover, another suspect, Siraj Talpur, was also awarded capital punishment for his role in the crime.

On the other hand, two other suspects in the case, Sajjad Ali Talpur and Ghulam Murtaza Lashari were sentenced to life imprisonment.

However, the parents and two sisters of Shahzeb Khan approached the Sindh High Court last month to seek acquittal of the convicts after pardoning them “in the name of Allah”

Pakistan

SHC rejects Shahrukh’s plea for case transfer

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Pardon for Shahzeb killers triggers debate

Amjad Wyne

Oct 21, 2013 05:40pm

While the family of a victim may forgive, the law and punishment must take their course - a murderer must bear the consequences.

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Khan

Oct 21, 2013 05:52pm

That is pardon under pressure, which is not legitimate by law of the country! SC and the government need to make sure the safety of the victim, period.

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trq

Oct 21, 2013 07:11pm

I HOPE JUSTICE WILL BE DONE TO SHAHZEB & HIS FAMILY INSHALLAH

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khalid

Oct 21, 2013 07:12pm

These murderers must not be pardoned by the State. When it is clear that the victim's family forgave these killers under compulsion then there forgiveness can not be given serious consideration. Justice must prevail, justice must be done.

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ordinary_citizen

Oct 21, 2013 07:33pm

For me this case is litmus test of independent judiciary, media and civil society. If we cannot establish rule of law even in such brazen criminal cases all hope is lost for us as a nation.

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yusuf

Oct 21, 2013 07:55pm

@Amjad Wyne: Agreed 100%, MURDER is a crime against the State too! We MUST understand the implications of leaving it to the family to 'forgive' (frequently arm twisted)!

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Tufal

Oct 21, 2013 08:02pm

Murder was committed and law of the land was broken. Family of the deceased has absolutely no right to help a murderer and felon go free and back to the society where he can repeat the same. Justice will only be served when the guilty is/are sent to the gallows.

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Modi

Oct 21, 2013 08:24pm

What has personal pardon got to do with the official legal process ? The victim's parents may forgive the convicted murderer out of the goodness of their heart or under threats from the Wadera family with influence. But the law of the land and the judgements of the courts must be witheld and sentences must be carried out. This nation of ours needs to see in action that there is law and order in the country, even for the rich and the influentials.

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Yasser

Oct 21, 2013 08:44pm

@Amjad Wyne: May justice be done to these wadera murderers.

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w.shaikh

Oct 21, 2013 09:54pm

@Amjad Wyne: I agree with 100% with your comments. It must be carried out for two reasons: First, Justice must be done. No one is above the law. Rich does not have license to kill a poor and get away with it.Second, the punishment will serve as a deterence to future criminals.

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lubna

Oct 21, 2013 11:03pm

pardon under pressure and life threats can be turned down by the jury as per law,in such cases the final authority is the jury not the victims relatives

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zia khan

Oct 21, 2013 11:57pm

Jatois have tried all the dirty tricks to avoid justice. It has been a battle between wolves and a lamb. The rich and powerful of our country casually kill and walk away without accountability. A heinous crime. Shahzeb was also a son of the nation. His parents alone cannot forgive the murderers. The nation wants justice for the slain son. We have not seen a moment of remorse but money and threats have been used to wriggle out of punishment. Justice must be served to change the mindset.

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imran khattak

Oct 22, 2013 03:26am

i appeal to the supreme court to hang Sharukh Jatoi till death.

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khan

Oct 22, 2013 05:58am

Set an example by hanging this murderer.If he is left unpunished,this will be a slap on Nation's face.And the powerful waderas and sardars will become more arrogant .And as far as pardon is concerned,give this family the safety,and you will then hear the truth.This was a crime against community,parents alone does not have right to pardon.

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