ATC acquits MQM 'hit-man' in 2013 murder case of Korangi municipal officer.

KARACHI -- An antiterrorism court on Monday acquitted an activist of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement in a murder case.

Raeesuddin, who is said to be a former Korangi sector in charge of the MQM, was charged with killing local government officer Amir Zai in October 2013 in Korangi.

On Monday, the ATC-VII judge, who was conducting the trial in the judicial complex inside the central prison, pronounced his verdict reserved earlier after recording evidence and final arguments from both sides.

The judge noted that the prosecution had failed to prove the charge against the accused.

The prison authorities were asked to release him forthwith, if his custody was not required in any other case.

However, Raeesuddin may not be released since he is facing trial in multiple criminal cases before the antiterrorism courts.

According to the prosecution, Raeesuddin along with his absconding accomplices - Jibran, Feroze, Khurram Butt - had killed the victim at the behest of the former head of MQM's Karachi Tanzeemi Committee.

The state prosecutor argued that Amir Zai was returning home after attending a wedding ceremony on Oct 24, 2013 when two unknown armed motorcyclists sprayed his car with bullets in Korangi.

'Confessional statement'

He submitted that accused Raeesuddin, who was in custody of the Nabi Bux police station in connection with other cases, had on April 16, 2018 voluntarily recorded his confessional statement disclosing his involvement in the present case.

He further argued that there was sufficient material, medical and ocular evidence, which fully corroborated the prosecution's case. Therefore, he pleaded to punish him according to the...