KARACHI: An antiterrorism court sentenced on Monday two men to life imprisonment in a case pertaining to the murder of a policeman.

Junaid-ur-Rehman and Mohammad Rashid were found guilty of killing constable Mohammad Shafiq in a Korangi locality in December 2011.

ATC-X judge Abdullah Afzal Khan, who conducted the trial after amalgamating the cases, imposed a fine of Rs50,000 each on the convicts and in case of default they would have to spend additional six months in prison.

The court also awarded multiple sentences to both accused in connected cases of attempted murder, carrying illicit weapons and deterring public servants from discharge of their duty.

However, all the sentences would run concurrently.

According to the prosecution, a patrolling police party had chased the accused as they fled after robbing a man near the Nasir Jump traffic intersection. However, they opened fire on the policemen to escape arrest, killing Shafiq dead.

It added that the police arrested Junaid at the crime scene after a shootout while Rashid escaped, but was arrested a few days after the incident. Four cases were registered against the accused persons at the Korangi police station.

Alleged gangster convicted

Another ATC handed down on Monday a collective sentence of 21 years to a suspected gangster in explosives and illicit weapons cases.

Abdullah, alias Wajoo Langra, said to be associated with one of the several criminal gangs operating in Lyari, was judged accountable for carrying a hand grenade and an unlicensed weapon in April last year on Hub River Road within the Mochko police station limits.

ATC-V judge Mohammad Jawaid Alam awarded 14-year imprisonment in explosives and seven years in illicit weapon cases. The court also imposed a fine of Rs30,000 on him and in case of non-payment he would have to spend additional six months in captivity. However, both sentences would run concurrently.

Published in Dawn, May 31st, 2016