KARACHI: Acquitting two accused of facilitating the escape of murder suspect Khurram Nisar, who allegedly fled to Sweden after killing a policeman in the Defence Housing Authority (DHA), an anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Monday directed the DIGP (Investigation) to take further steps to obtain a red notice from Interpol for the prime suspect and ensure his return to Pakistan.

Khurrum Nisar had allegedly shot dead 34-year-old police constable Abdul Rehman when he stopped his car on suspicion that he was attempting to kidnap a girl in Block-V of Clifton on the night of Nov 21, 2022.

Nisar, who lived in Sweden, had purportedly fled the country hours after the incident by taking advantage of his dual nationality, but police tracked down his facilitators Amir Qadir and driver, Muhammad Aurangzeb.

After hearing arguments from all sides, including those of defence counsel Shaikh Jawaid Mir, the ATC-VI judge acquitted Qadir and Aurangzaib — who appeared on bail — in two cases including murder and possession of an illegal weapon, as the prosecution failed to establish its cases against them.

The court noted that the prosecution had failed to produce any substantial evidence connecting either of the accused with the commission of the offence “in any manner whatsoever”, particularly with regard to creating terror, panic, or a sense of fear and insecurity among residents of the area and society at large.

The court observed that, during the investigation, the investigation officer (IO) had written to the relevant authorities and made strenuous efforts to produce the proclaimed offender, prime suspect Nisar, before the court.

It added that, in addition to initiating his extradition from Sweden through diplomatic channels, the IO had sought the blocking of the prime suspect’s passport and his name had been placed on the Passport Control List (PCL).

However, the court noted that the fact remained that the prime suspect, who allegedly murdered the police constable, was still at large and reportedly residing in Sweden. It observed that the investigating agency, along with its higher authorities, had been unable to secure his extradition to Pakistan, while a Red Warrant had also not been issued so far.

It also ruled that the case file would remain dormant till the arrest of the prime suspect or until he appears before the court of law.

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2026