Court Sentences Six to Life Imprisonment in Dr. Khalid Mahmood Soomro Murder Case
The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Sukkur, presided over by Judge Abdul Rehman Qazi, announced the long-awaited verdict in the murder case of Dr. Khalid Mahmood Soomro, a prominent leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F).
Verdict Details
- Sentences Announced:
- All six accused were sentenced to two counts of life imprisonment on charges of murder and terrorism.
- Each was also handed seven years of imprisonment for illegal possession of weapons.
- The court imposed fines exceeding PKR 1 million collectively on the convicted individuals.
- Charges:
- Murder of Dr. Soomro.
- Terrorist activities linked to the crime.
- Illegal possession of firearms.
Reactions
- Maulana Rashid Mahmood Soomro, son of the late Dr. Khalid Mahmood Soomro, expressed dissatisfaction with the verdict.
- He stated that the death penalty was the appropriate punishment for the accused, given the gravity of their confirmed crime.
- He announced plans to appeal in the High Court to seek harsher penalties for the convicts.
Background of the Case
- Dr. Khalid Mahmood Soomro, a senior leader of JUI-F, was assassinated on November 29, 2014, in Sukkur.
- The incident drew widespread condemnation and demands for swift justice from political and religious circles across Pakistan.
Implications and Next Steps
The verdict provides some closure to a case that has lingered for nearly a decade, but the JUI-F leadership’s dissatisfaction with the punishment indicates that the legal battle is not over. The anticipated appeal in the High Court will likely extend the case’s timeline, while the families of both the victim and the accused await the final resolution.
This case remains a significant chapter in the struggle against politically and religiously motivated violence in Pakistan.