SC upholds acquittal of MQM activists in Hakeem Said murder

Published April 26, 2014
Hakeem Mohammad Said. – Photo courtesy: Hamdard Foundation
Hakeem Mohammad Said. – Photo courtesy: Hamdard Foundation

KARACHI: The Supreme Court on Saturday upheld the verdict of Sindh High Court (SHC) rejecting the provincial government’s appeal regarding acquittal of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) activists in the murder case of famous philanthropist, writer and physician Hakeem Mohammad Said, DawnNews reported.

The government in 2001 had filed the appeal in the apex court against the judgment of the SHC’s anti-terrorism appellate bench which acquitted all nine accused in Hakeem Said murder case.

MQM workers Mohammed Amirullah, Mohammed Shakir alias Shakir Langra and Abu Imran Pasha were among the nine acquitted.

On June 4, 1999, the anti-terrorism court No VI, Karachi, had convicted the respondents and sentenced them to death for causing the death of Hakeem Mohammed Said and two others. They were also fined Rs100,000 each.

The decision brought joy among the MQM ranks and sweets were distributed in Burns Road, Ranchor Line and Liaquatabad among other areas of the port city.

MQM’s Rabita (coordination) Committee responded to the development with great delight, calling the apex court’s judgment a ‘victory of truth’ in a statement issued later on Saturday.

The committee felicitated MQM workers over the verdict.

“The Supreme Court’s decision has proved once again that Hakeem Said’s murder was a part of a conspiracy hatched against the party,” said the statement.

“May Allah bestow its blessings to the party workers who were murdered under the guise of this heinous crime,” it added.

Opinion

The Dar story continues

The Dar story continues

One wonders what the rationale was for the foreign minister — a highly demanding, full-time job — being assigned various other political responsibilities.

Editorial

Wheat protests
Updated 01 May, 2024

Wheat protests

The government should withdraw from the wheat trade gradually, replacing the existing market support mechanism with an effective new one over the next several years.
Polio drive
01 May, 2024

Polio drive

THE year’s fourth polio drive has kicked off across Pakistan, with the aim to immunise more than 24m children ...
Workers’ struggle
Updated 01 May, 2024

Workers’ struggle

Yet the struggle to secure a living wage — and decent working conditions — for the toiling masses must continue.
All this talk
Updated 30 Apr, 2024

All this talk

The other parties are equally legitimate stakeholders in the country’s political future, and it must give them due consideration.
Monetary policy
30 Apr, 2024

Monetary policy

ALIGNING its decision with the trend in developed economies, the State Bank has acted wisely by holding its key...
Meaningless appointment
30 Apr, 2024

Meaningless appointment

THE PML-N’s policy of ‘family first’ has once again triggered criticism. The party’s latest move in this...