SC upholds acquittal of MQM activists in Hakeem Said murder

E-Paper | July 29, 2026

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.

Pakistan

KARACHI: Govt challenges acquittal in Hakim Said case

SC adjourns Hakim Said, Asif cases

usman civil 01-08-2013

Apr 26, 2014 07:14pm

Supreme court acquitted these persons but did not make any enquiry who killed Mr. Hakeem Saeed

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qaisar

Apr 26, 2014 07:23pm

The greatest supreme court in the world. They kill us and supreme court acquits them...

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Kamran Quraishi

Apr 26, 2014 07:30pm

The killers of this great man are still on the prowl. It is really shameful and the other thing that is really shocking is that nobody else has bothered to comment on this story yet. I guess it would've been better if he had never migrated to our so called "Land of the Pure. We did not appreciate him fully while he was alive. The "true" Pakistanis are gone and this man was one of them. He went out of his way to help others and to educate the future generations. I still remember reading Naunehal as a kid and read his column faithfully. Great man who met an untimely demise. The dastardly criminals behind this will probably never be caught. To this day I don't understand how they could have shot this saint of a man in cold blood.

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Mansoor Ahmed Banglani

Apr 26, 2014 07:31pm

Very bad and sad news. Justice not only delayed but also denied.

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Mariam

Apr 26, 2014 07:43pm

MQM murdered Hakeem Saeed and there is not doubt in this..

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AKNasser

Apr 26, 2014 08:06pm

If MQM 's members found innocent, where are the real target killers ? Appeal in SC was filed in 2001, it took court 13 years to decide the case. As old cliche says, "Justice delayed is justice denied ".

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APatel, USA

Apr 26, 2014 08:43pm

A person murdered, some people arrested, awarded death sentence, appealed - acquitted, appeal filed against the acquittal - rejected, accused found innocent, JUSTICE DONE. REALLY ? Those arrested are found not guilty of committing the crime but where is (are) the actual murderers ? The COPS/POLICE including DIG Farooq Amin Qureshi, CCPO Karachi at that time who initially submitted the case in the court will ever be questioned of their inability to catch the real culprits ?

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Oregata

Apr 26, 2014 08:46pm

Justice delayed AND denied.

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Somroo

Apr 26, 2014 08:49pm

Its such a sad news that we cannot brought the killers to justice. That is the reason MQM joins Govt. That is the reason we cannot root out terrorism. That is the reason law enforcing agencies take law in their own hand. Judiciary in Pakistan is corrupt and sold out.

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muhammad

Apr 26, 2014 08:51pm

@Mariam Please refrain from making bias allegations and read the investigative report by Mr. Kamran Khan right after the murder of great Hakim Saeed and you will find the clue who had killed him

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Tahir

Apr 26, 2014 09:15pm

What a shame ! But I don't blame the judges, probably they knew the Government could not provide them the required security.

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shami

Apr 26, 2014 09:21pm

Well done kangroo courts! What can be expected from our courts and judicial system. Those who kill are never trailled and if they get trialled they donot punishments.

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APatel, USA

Apr 26, 2014 09:26pm

@AKNasser Looks like the judgement influenced by the PPP - MQM coalition. Waited 13 years for this day.

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Ayesha

Apr 26, 2014 09:36pm

Supreme Court -- You are not even worth a comment.

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Shami

Apr 26, 2014 09:45pm

One court order hang till death and other acquitted after 13 years Is there any one who in his senses can justify it for the judiciary worked under same law and dispensing absolutely opposite decisions ??

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sabahaider

Apr 26, 2014 10:13pm

15 years searching for killers of Hakim Said, 60 years for Liaquat Ali Khan, 7 years for Benazir. And they blame Hamid Mir for not believing in the Justice system and instead coming out into the open with his concerns

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fazalpai

Apr 26, 2014 10:24pm

I would like comments from the readers on an irrelevent story. As far as i remembered, hamdard was about to launch SOFT DRINK, just before his death, does anyone like to give opinion on the subject having a far sighted calibre.

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nfk

Apr 26, 2014 10:51pm

"murder case of famous philanthropist, writer and physician Hakeem Mohammad Said," A decent, philanthropist is murdered, a man who had no political ambitions, yet we can't find his killers. Appeal was filed in 2001 when Musharraf was ruling the country,he never followed up the case. So killers are prowling around free.

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AJamal

Apr 26, 2014 10:54pm

Shame on this justice system. Appeal filed in 2001 decided in 2014.

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AJamal

Apr 26, 2014 10:58pm

@Kamran Quraishi Very true. Another nation would have valued Hakeem Saeed very highly. Yet we kill our benefactors. Easy to understand where we stand.

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Political observor

Apr 26, 2014 11:01pm

WHY EVEN AFTER THE SUPREME COURT DECISION PEOPLE ALWAYS POINT FINGERS AT MQM........BECAUSE IT IS ONE OF THE MOST EDUCATED PARTY AND THREAT TO ESTABLISHMENT AND IT CROOKS

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Parvez

Apr 26, 2014 11:04pm

Dispensing justice without fear or favour.......when will it happen in Pakistan ??

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imran ali

Apr 26, 2014 11:32pm

it was conspiracy hatched by PML-N to imposed Governor Rule and to start operation in karachi

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Najma

Apr 26, 2014 11:48pm

Pakistan Supreme court is busy with ribbon cutting ceremonies ,making speeches and other suo moto actions. Is there any statistics on the supreme court's performance? How many cased were handled and how many were decided etc. I think the quality of education/training of the Pakistani judges is so low that they are not even aware of the things called accountability and responsibility. Quality of decision is the last thing we expect from MEDIOCRISTAN institutions. People would argue that some judges have degrees from abroad so the answer to that is we all know that goes. The primary educated sets the tone of understanding and quality and culture and work ethics. Do you think the foreign universities will fail you ever if that happens then people will stop going abroad for higher education.

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Malik Khan

Apr 26, 2014 11:50pm

What an abortion of justice and mockery of basic human rights. Is there anyone accountable for they delay of Justice? Now, we all know why street justice is so rampant in Pakistan.

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Khurram

Apr 27, 2014 12:00am

Shame on Supreme Court. Everyone knows MQM killed him.

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khan

Apr 27, 2014 12:16am

@Mariam If you have any proof against MQM please present it to authorities, Jinnahpur conspiracy was also claimed on behalf of MQM and later ex-Army officers admitted it was fake.

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Ghani K

Apr 27, 2014 01:35am

@Political observor Be kind and explain to us. What is the political doctrine of this educated party MQM ? A party being monitored by a remote control from London, by a supremo who lives in self imposed exile, condemns Jagirdars, Landlords but has no qualm joining them & ruling the country.He speaks of democracy but served a military dictator for 8 years. One call from him, his party workers shut down city's business. They don't do it by peacefully convincing business community, they coerce them,threaten them. If you have a batter explanation, let us know.As far supreme court, judges they conveniently went along with their brethren in Sind high court especially when no one would dare pursue the case. 8 years of Musharraf who was patron in chief of MQM, 5 years coalition of MQM & PPP all these years odds were stacked against philanthropist Hakim Said - He is dead, buried & dead men can't speak for justice.

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Apr 27, 2014 01:36am

Courts - Judicial system in Pakistan is a joke. A land in which there is no justice simply can not prosper. There are cases where even the verdicts of the Supreme Court remain unimplemented - unbelievable but true. The legislative powers must review and reform the entire judicial system - sooner the better including significantly raising the bar for nomination or election of the judges. Incompetent and corrupt judges need to be fired And then put a monitored system in place to hold the government accountable for implementation of court decisions

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mohsin

Apr 27, 2014 03:44am

Worst ever performance by any institution of Pakistan. The most corrupt and abused institution twisted to deliver The most bizzare blasphemy of Justice after a decade of painful waiting. For Noora League and PPP, I suppose MQM on board was more important. Shame on the leadership of this country. What a sad day for Justice!

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WiMax

Apr 27, 2014 03:46am

Its a common knowledge everyone knows

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babar

Apr 27, 2014 06:24am

When the Supreme court of Pakistan says MQM workers not guilty then they are not guilty. If there are people who say that MQM workers are still guilty then those people are not Pakistanis because they don't believe in law and Pakistani constitution. When Hakeem Saeed was murdered within few hours Nawaz Sharif declared MQM responsible as if he was the supreme court and then he started operation against Muhajirs. Truth has come out. Naqwaz Sharif should now apologize MQM if he is a good leader and should take back his allegations. All innocent Muhajirs who were killed by Nawaz Sharif's operation should be compensated. Long live Altaf Hussain.

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babar

Apr 27, 2014 06:32am

@APatel, USA If you have all the information then why don't you provide it to court. Do you think judges sitting in the supreme court are dumb?

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babar

Apr 27, 2014 06:34am

@Oregata how do you know it is denied?

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khan

Apr 27, 2014 06:45am

An apology is due from Nawaz Sharif for MQM. Nawaz Sharif declared MQM responsible for the crime within few hour when it was committed. If he does not provide an apology then remember there is a judgment day and Nawaz Sharif has to answer on that day.

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AKNasser

Apr 27, 2014 06:53am

An appeal lying with supreme court since 2001. Ex supreme court justice Iftikhar Choudhry was taking suo moto action on every issue under the sun but never bothered to take up this appeal. Murder of Hakim Said became yesterday's story, only person who could have pursued the case, was federal prosecuter , he did not care.

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Yousuf

Apr 27, 2014 07:42am

sad news. courts are only active in wasting time on cases like musharaff etc. sad news that the murders are freed again

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Najma - Part 2

Apr 27, 2014 10:02am

Pakistan Supreme court justices are busy with ribbon cutting ceremonies ,making speeches and other suo moto actions. Is there any statistics on the supreme court's performance? How many cases were handled vs decision reached. I think that in general, the quality of education/training of the Pakistani judges is so low that they are not even aware of accountability and responsibilities. Quality of decision is the last thing that we expect from this MEDIOCRE institution. People would argue that some judges have degrees from abroad so the answer to that we have professor and lecturers who have degrees from abroad. We all know very well how that goes. The primary level education sets up the tone for understanding, quality, culture and work ethics. Do you think the foreign universities will fail international students and lose the next batch of incoming students. No.

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Muhammad Ijaz

Apr 27, 2014 10:57am

Its a shame that the blood of a great man is sold so cheaply, the killers are still out there. Its a shame.

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Husain Jan

Apr 27, 2014 11:21am

There was no news about the appeal in the intervening years from 2001- 14 and now suddenly the decision has been announced. Why it took a long period of 13 years in a case related to very highly respected personality is a big question. Another question : What happened to arresting the real culprits ?

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Zak

Apr 27, 2014 12:41pm

The loss of Hakeem Saeed was the greatest tragedy not only for Pakistan but for the world. Patients used to book and que months before he visited UK, Germany, US. These foreign patients sang praises and showered prayers on him. He was so good and genuine Hakeem in this age of fakes. Whoever killed him truly killed all humanity. I hope they find his killers and give them ultimate punishment.

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Ajamal

Apr 27, 2014 12:46pm

This country has become a joke, particularly criminal matters and the judicial system. No nation would have allowed the murder of a person like Hakeem Saeed go unpunished.

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Ajamal

Apr 27, 2014 12:48pm

@usman civil 01-08-2013 "Supreme court acquitted these persons but did not make any enquiry who killed Mr. Hakeem Saeed". Supreme court job to give judgement based on the evidence presented. It is for the government to investigate. But in no way I am a supporter of our judicial system.

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Apr 27, 2014 12:50pm

@usman civil 01-08-2013 Same people who tried to killed hamid Mir

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Apr 27, 2014 12:51pm

Good Decision By Court

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khanm

Apr 27, 2014 01:18pm

Reading the following comments it seems like we have no faith in our justice system...in any civilized society the media trial is ignored and judgement of the court has a supreme value... unfortunately i cannot write much cos either it is not going to be printed or i may wind up on having contempt of court charges... The judge is found guilty when a criminal is acquitted. only if the person is guilty. Before we condemn the justice who acquitted the activist, we should remember that they were asked to do something extraordinary. They were asked to listen to the facts and apply the law to the best of their ability in a case. the whole country was watching. who knows who intimidated who. The irony is in this corrupt society truth is never revealed..for i have learned three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth. But in Pakistan forget about the truth, system can even hide the sun and the moon

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Zak

Apr 27, 2014 03:19pm

@khanm how can you have justice when you have judges like Ifthikhar chowdry doing PML-N and GEO bidding.

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Tahir

Apr 27, 2014 03:25pm

@Political observor because your history is replete with such incidents, Tariq and Farooq bhai , just to name a few.

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khanm

Apr 27, 2014 03:37pm

@Zak every thing has a price tag... put the right price... remember money is voice it can be purchased... this world we live in belongs to mighty rich not for the poor...

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khanm

Apr 27, 2014 04:01pm

@Kamran Quraishi remember, where you have a concentration of power in a few hands, all too frequently men with the mentality of gangsters get control. History has proven that.

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khanm

Apr 27, 2014 04:05pm

@Mariam A suspect is a suspect unless he is proven guilty by the court. we cannot take in our own hands cos it will lead to anarchy. proof my friend..A proof is a proof. What kind of a proof? It's a proof. A proof is a proof. And when you have a good proof, it's because it's proven. one could prove it. end of story..

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khanm

Apr 27, 2014 04:19pm

@sabahaider ... The only way we can fight this menace is to encourage journalism to learn the craft of writing and to get close to the Pakistani police and the criminal justice system..to right the facts not the fiction....

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khanm

Apr 27, 2014 04:21pm

@Parvez bring a revolution... can you.... raise your voice for the time being this is good enough...

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raj

Apr 27, 2014 04:55pm

@Mariam You think you have evidence better than the courts, then please forward them to the courts, I can also assist you and even pay legal fees on your behalf. You may hate MQM as you probably support other party but you don't blame innocent until they are proven guilty.

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raj

Apr 27, 2014 05:00pm

@AKNasser Provide evidence don't go by the propaganda you read in media or as portrayed by political opponents. You don't blame someone for the sake of blaming. This shows your hate against MQM without foundation.

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Qazi

Apr 28, 2014 03:23pm

@ ALL How much you guys hate MQM without even knowing it. I have so many of friends of mine specially from Punjab who never have visited Karachi in their life but consider MQM to be the sole problem. I was a supporter of MQM before but after meeting guys like you, now I am a die hard supporter of MQM. MQM is right in each and every aspect from its leadership to its on ground workers. I request all of punjabi friends that before considering karachi a living hell because of MQM, please do visit this city and the people.

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