Justice has its course, at last:

Court proclaims ‘death sentence’ for Sarfraz Shah’s Shooter;

Others handed down ‘life imprisonment’

The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Friday has announced its verdict in the killing of Sarfraz Shah Case pronouncing the capital punishment for Shahid Zafar who shot Sarfraz Shah while the other accused were given ‘life imprisonment’.

Besides this, the court also fined the chief culprit Shahid Zafar for Rs .2 million and .1 million each for Muhammad Tariq, Muhammad Afzal, Afsar Khan, Liquat Ali, Minthar Ali and Bahawer Rahman.

Talking to media, outside the court, Sarfaraz Shah’s brother, Salik Shah said, “We are happy with the court’s decision because my brother was innocent. He did not do anything for which he was killed cold bloodedly at Benazir Park.”

His father said, “The decision was on merit and it should be upheld by the Superior Court and be implemented too.”

Sarfraz Shah’s Mother talking to media on the verdict of court said, “I am also very happy and the court’s orders must be implemented as soon as possible. We have spent two months crying. We thank GOD who has listened to our prayers.”

The accused lawyer, Naimat Ali talking to media after the verdict said, “We accept the court’s decision and we will however, challenge this decision in high court soon.

The Rangers Personnel had killed Sarfraz Shah in cold blood on 8th June, 2011 after he was handed over to Rangers by the private contractor, Afsar Khan accusing him of theft and robbery at Benazir Park.

On 10th June Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry took the Suo Moto action on this incident and appointed DIG Khwaja Sultan for investigation.

He did interrogation and presented the Challan in court on 18th June. On 29th June, court had implemented the frame charges on accused. On 3 July the team had recorded the witness statements, on 9 August the court reserved the judgement and finally announced the verdict on 12 August, Friday after more than two months of Sarfraz Shah killing.

The trial had to be concluded with in the 30 days on the Special orders of Supreme Court. He had ordered to conduct the day to day basis trail and complete within a month. It is however to be lauded that justice was finally done and the culprits got what they deserved.