World - Asia
Updated: January 23, 2023

Pakistan Court Acquits Policemen In Murder Case

By Quadri Adejumo
January 23, 2023
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A court in Pakistan has acquitted 18 police officers, including a former senior police official over the 2018 killing of a Pashtun man in Karachi.

Naqeebullah Mehsud, an aspiring model and a textile factory worker was fatally shot along with three other people during what later transcribed into a protest across the country.

On Monday, the “anti-terrorism” court in Karachi said the prosecution was unable to provide substantial evidence against Rao Anwar, a former senior superintendent of police and 17 other defendants.

A detailed verdict is expected to be issued at a later date.

Jibran Nasir, the lawyer representing Mehsud’s family, said it would appeal the verdict, which he called a “travesty of justice”.

The killing of Mehsud triggered a massive backlash against police.

Activists also organised sit-ins and demonstrations demanding justice over the killing.