ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday set aside conviction of two persons, Baitullah and Gul Siddique, awarded by the sessions court in Major Mohammad Laraib of the Special Services Group (SSG) murder case.

IHC division bench comprising Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani and Justice Arbab Mohammad Tahir allowed the appeals filed against the conviction of both the accused.

Major Laraib was shot to death on Nov 21, 2019, when he was meeting his friend in Sector G-9 in Islamabad. Police had arrested the suspects a month after the crime was committed by tracing them through their mobile phones.

Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Mohammad Ali Warriach in December 2020 sentenced Baitullah to death while Siddique was given life imprisonment.

IHC bench overturned their conviction while observing serious loopholes in the investigation.

As per the investigation, Baitullah revealed details that led the police to recover the pistol during his physical remand. Forensic tests had pointed out that the weapon was the same which had been used to commit the crime.

As per the details revealed by the testimony of the deceased’s friend, Major Laraib had picked her up from her hostel and they had gone to have coffee, and later to the F-9 Park.

The major’s friend said that they were in the park when both suspects appeared and one of the accused asked the army official to “hand over whatever he has”.

Baitullah had kicked the major twice and asked him to hand over his wallet. She revealed that Baitullah shot at Major Laraib after he resisted.

Published in Dawn, November 9th, 2022