SAHIWAL: An anti-terrorism court on Friday sentenced a man to 14 years in prison and a fine of Rs8.1 million for critically injuring his former mother-in-law and her 10-year-old son in a brutal acid attack.

Basharat Ali, a resident of Sukhpur in Depalpur, threw acid on Nusrat Bibi and her then 14-year-old son, Muhammad Hasan, on the night of March 21, 2017 in Bahwaldas village, tehsil Depalpur, Okara.

He attacked his mother-in-law as he blamed her for his failed marriage to her daughter Faiqa Bibi. The couple had married in 2015 but later divorced because of domestic problems and Basharat held his mother-in-law responsible for the failed relationship.

Police registered an FIR under sections 324 and 336-B of the PPC, and section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 at the Depalpur Saddar police station on the complaint of victims’ brother Muhammad Iqbal.

ATC district and sessions Judge Zia Ullah Khan found the accused guilty on both counts after eight years of legal proceedings.

The judge handed down 14-year imprisonment, concurrent sentences of seven years for each count, with a fine of Rs8.1 million.

Published in Dawn, June 28th, 2025