ISLAMABAD, Oct 18: Members of two religious groups, entangled in a litigation after sectarian riots in Chakwal district in 1996, withdrew cases against each other on Thursday to create harmony and peace in the area.

Representatives of both the parties submitted a compromise in the Supreme Court under which Malik Hasnain, who was handed down death sentence on charges of murdering Sheikh Yousaf, would be released from jail.

Twenty-three members of the Sunni community, who were awarded life imprisonment on charges of burning properties of the Shia community, including an Imambargah at Jhatla village, Talagang, Chakwal, will also be freed as their imprisonment was reduced to three years.

They would be released from jail immediately as they have already undergone more than two years rigorous imprisonment and given the benefit of section 382 of the CrPC.

Mohammad Ilyas Siddiqui and Sardar Ishaq advocates represented the two parties.

The court, comprising Justice Mohammad Bashir Jehangiri, Justice Munir A. Sheikh and Justice Rana Bhagwandas, was informed that the main role for the compromise was played by the Deputy Nazim of Jhatla Union Council and Imam of Jamia Mosque, Jhatla.

The court appreciated the compromise and hoped that others entangled in similar situations would take a cue from the compromise.