A friend of Shahbaz Bhatti weeps as he looks at the of the former minorities minister after he was attacked in Islamabad in March, 2011. A court in Rawalpindi disposed of the murder case of Bhatti, for lack of evidence against the suspect.
A friend of Shahbaz Bhatti weeps as he looks at the of the former minorities minister after he was attacked in Islamabad in March, 2011. A court in Rawalpindi disposed of the murder case of Bhatti, for lack of evidence against the suspect. – File photo by AP

RAWALPINDI: A man booked for being allegedly involved in the murder of former minorities minister Shahbaz Bhatti, was acquitted by an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Saturday.

In the ATC-II hearing held by Special Judge Rana Masood in Rawalpindi, acquitted Zia-ur-Rehman and disposed of the case after an SHO of the I-9 Police Station in Islamabad said that no evidence was found against Rehman.

Zulfiqar Maloka, defence counsel, withdrew his bail plea after the court gave its decision.

Rehman was arrested in Dubai on Feb 13, 2012 for his alleged involvement in the murder of Shahbaz Bhatti, who was assassinated outside his residence on March 1, 2011.

Opinion

Editorial

Under siege
Updated 03 May, 2024

Under siege

Whether through direct censorship, withholding advertising, harassment or violence, the press in Pakistan navigates a hazardous terrain.
Meddlesome ways
03 May, 2024

Meddlesome ways

AFTER this week’s proceedings in the so-called ‘meddling case’, it appears that the majority of judges...
Mass transit mess
03 May, 2024

Mass transit mess

THAT Karachi — one of the world’s largest megacities — does not have a mass transit system worth the name is ...
Punishing evaders
02 May, 2024

Punishing evaders

THE FBR’s decision to block mobile phone connections of more than half a million individuals who did not file...
Engaging Riyadh
Updated 02 May, 2024

Engaging Riyadh

It must be stressed that to pull in maximum foreign investment, a climate of domestic political stability is crucial.
Freedom to question
02 May, 2024

Freedom to question

WITH frequently suspended freedoms, increasing violence and few to speak out for the oppressed, it is unlikely that...