LAHORE: Four anti-terrorism courts (ATC) on Saturday convicted culprits in four different cases.

In the first case, an ATC convicted four men found guilty of killing seven-year-old Yasir of Hanjarwal during jubilation firing at a wedding in 2005.

Saleem was awarded death sentence on two counts, while Asif, Khalid Khan and Asif alias Pistoli were handed down a collective 50-year imprisonment. Saleem, Khalid and Asif were also fined Rs200,000 and Pistoli Rs500,000.

Another ATC awarded 10-year imprisonment to Arshad for possessing an explosive material. His accomplice Umar Zaib was acquitted for lack of evidence, while another, Amjad, had been earlier declared a proclaimed offender.

They all were stated to be members of a banned militant group.

ATC-1 Judge Muhammad Qasim conducted a trial inside the Kot Lakhpat Central Jail, and pronounced his verdict after recording evidence of witnesses and hearing final arguments from both sides.

Death for child’s killer

According to the prosecution, the crime investigation wing of Lorry Ada police had arrested Arshad and Zaib from Lorry Adda and recovered explosives from their possession in 2012.

The third ATC awarded 10-year imprisonment and a fine of Rs50,000 to Farhan Ali for distributing hate material in Millat Park, Lahore, recently. The court found Ali guilty of distributing hate material of a banned organisation against the judiciary, army and the government.

The fourth court awarded a brother and sister a collective 50-year imprisonment in a kidnap for ransom-cum-murder case registered at the A Division police station in Okara. The court acquitted their four accomplices -- Nooran Bibi, Naveed Anjum, Tariq Nadeem and Misbah Noor -- by giving them the benefit of the doubt.

Accused Junaid Noor and Rabia Noor were convicted of kidnapping Zain and demanding Rs2 million in ransom. They had killed the boy over non-payment of ransom.

The court also directed the authorities to confiscate their property.

Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2015

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