Mashal murder case: JI admonishes leader for welcoming those acquitted

PESHAWAR: Maulana Atta-ur-Rehman, a member of the of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Central Executive Committee, was rebuked by the party for giving a “hero’s welcome” to those acquitted in the Mashal Khan murder case, the party’s secretary information Ameer-ul-Azeem told Geo News.

Azeem, however, then went on to claim that welcome was given by the relatives of those acquitted. He said making an accusation without any proof and killing was wrong. According to media reports, members of religious parties welcomed the release of 26 people acquitted by an anti-terrorism court in the murder of Mashal, a student of Abdul Wali Khan University. The gathering in Mardan was led by Rehman and JUI-F leaders.

The anti-terrorism court announced its verdict on Wednesday, awarding the death sentence to one accused and handing life sentences to five others. Twenty-five accused in the case were awarded sentences of four years each, while 26 suspects were acquitted by the court for lack of evidence.