Conviction of two Afghans for Peshawar bombing upheld.

PESHAWAR -- The Peshawar High Court has upheld the convictions of two Afghan nationals by an anti-terrorism court for exploding a bomb outside the high court's premises around three years ago that injured 11 people.

A bench consisting of Justice Musarrat Hilali and Justice Ijaz Anwar rejected appeals filed by convicts Ikramullah and Matiullah, residents of Kunar province in Afghanistan, observing that the prosecution had proved its case against them.

The Peshawar anti-terrorism court had convicted the two for bomb blast last year.

The prime accused, Ikramullah, was sentenced to life imprisonment on four counts with a collective fine of Rs1.05 million, whereas the other accused, Matiullah, was convicted for the facilitation of bombing and was awarded seven years rigorous imprisonment and Rs50,000 fine.

The anti-terrorism courthad also ordered the deportation of convicts after completion of their respective prison terms.

The case was registered by the counter-terrorism department police station on Dec 16, 2019, after an improvised explosive device planted in an auto-rickshaw went off near the high court's building injuring 11 people.

The FIR was registered under different provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act, Sections 3 and 4 of Explosive Substance Act, Section 14 of Foreigners Act, and Pakistan...