ATC awards death sentence to Zainab's killer

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) awarded on Saturday four counts of death sentence to prime suspect Imran Ali, after finding him guilty of raping and killing seven-year-old Zainab.

The suspect has been slapped with a fine, one life-term and a 7-year jail term. The court handed Imran four death penalties for kidnapping, raping and murdering Zainab and for committing an unnatural act with a minor.

The verdict was announced at the Central Jail, Kot Lakhpat where security was increased. Imran's trial had been conducted daily inside the special cell after ATC had ordered it.

Speaking to the reporters before the verdict was announced, Zainab's family demanded public punishment of Imran so that an example would be made out of him before someone else ever thinks of committing such a crime.

Zainab’s suspected killer confesses to other rapes, murders

ATC Judge Sajjad Ahmad on Thursday had reserved the verdict after cross examination of all the prosecution witnesses. At least 56 witnesses had been presented before the court.

Imran had been taken into custody on January 23 when his DNA had matched the samples taken from Zainab's body.

Other than Zainab, Imran has confessed to murdering and raping the girls last year, including Ayesha Asif, whose body was found on January 7, Iman Fatima, who was found dead on February 24, Noor Fatima, found dead on April 11 and Laiba Saleem, who was found on July 8. All the girls were seven years old.