PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has taken firm stand against the acquittal of convict in Asma Rani murder case and argued that he should be punished according to the law to prevent such incidents.
During the hearing of the case in the Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Thursday, the Additional Advocate General presented arguments on the appeal against reconciliation with the culprit by the victim’s family. A two-member bench comprising Justice Rohul Amin and Justice Shakeel Ahmed heard the appeal of the provincial government.
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AAG Muhammad Nisar Khan told the court that medical student Asma Rani was killed for refusing her marriage proposal. Nisar said that the convict Mujahid Afridi was married but wanted to second marriage with Asma Rani, but on her refusal, the culprit shot and killed the medical student. Afridi was sentenced to death while his accomplices were acquitted by the anti-terrorism court, Peshawar; however Rani’s parents pardoned the convict and asked the court for his acquittal.
However, the provincial government challenged his acquittal in Asma Rani murder case, saying that the family of the convict has used its influence and has forced the family on reconciliation. The government said that he was allowed to roam free, it will encourage other youngsters to commit such gruesome crimes. AAG said that the provincial government has challenged reconciliation between the families to prevent such incidents.
Justice Rohul Amin remarked that the law directs guidance from the Qur’an and Sunnah in this regard. The AAG said the Supreme Court had also taken notice of the case, the convict had fled to Saudi Arabia after killing the student and was brought through Interpol. The court, after hearing AAG’s arguments, adjourned the hearing till March 29.
Asma Rani was a third year student in Ayub Medical College. She on leave from college in January 2018 whne Mujahid Afridi shot her dead outside her residence.