Prime suspect records statement in Mureed Abbas murder case

KARACHI: The main accused in the murder case of anchorperson Mureed Abbas has recorded his statement before a sessions court in Karachi.

The proceedings took place at the Judicial Complex inside Central Jail Karachi, where accused Atif Zaman gave his statement under Section 342 of the Criminal Procedure Code. During the hearing, he rejected the allegations that he killed Mureed Abbas and Khizar Hayat.

The court later adjourned the matter and directed counsel for both sides to present final arguments on May 14.

Case proceedings

Statements of witnesses, the investigating officer and other relevant individuals have already been recorded in the case.

The prosecution told the court that forensic reports related to the weapon allegedly used in the double murder, along with CCTV footage of the incident, have already been submitted.

The prosecution further alleged that Atif Zaman, along with his brother Adil Zaman, had called Mureed Abbas and Khizar Hayat to an office, where the two men were killed.

Co-accused declared absconder

In the same case, co-accused Adil Zaman went into hiding after the Supreme Court rejected his bail, according to the prosecution. He has since been declared a proclaimed offender.

The latest hearing marked the stage where the principal accused formally responded to the allegations placed against him in court. With the recording of statements of witnesses and other officials already completed, the case is now moving toward final arguments.

The matter relates to the killings of Mureed Abbas and Khizar Hayat, in which the prosecution has relied on forensic material and video evidence already placed before the court. Atif Zaman, however, denied the charges during his statement before the sessions court.

The court will now take up the matter again on May 14 for final arguments from both the prosecution and the defence.