The family members of a deceased woman who was killed for honour have moved an anti-terrorism court (ATC) asking for removal of terrorism charges against them in the case. Special Judge ATC-I Amjad Ali Shah on Tuesday put off the hearing in the murder case of 19-year-old Sidra Arab till July 14 after the prosecution sought time to respond to the application of the accused persons.
Court Proceedings and Defense Objections
During the proceedings, the accused nominated in the case were produced before the court. Defense counsel Basharatullah Khan raised severe objections to the inclusion of terrorism charges in the case. He argued that sections 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) that deals with act of terrorism and 11-WW of ATA that deals with criminalizes sharing of content that spread hatred are not applicable in this matter, asserting that there is no evidence on record to justify the inclusion of these stringent anti-terrorism clauses.
Prosecution Seeks More Time
In response to the defense’s objections, the prosecution requested the court for an extension until the next hearing to prepare and present their counter-arguments. As many as 14 accused are facing the trial of the murder that took place on July 11, 2025 and surfaced only after the area people informed the police that Sidra was strangulated to death after a family jirga decision and was silently buried in Chatti graveyard. The FIR was registered on July 21 by the police.
Details of the Murder
According to the prosecution, 19-year-old Sidra was strangled to death by her brother after a jirga headed by their family elder including a local politician decided to kill the young woman for marrying a man of her liking. The suspects allegedly buried the victim and erased all signs of her grave to conceal the crime. The accused include the victim’s father, brothers, uncle, former husband, and the secretary of the local graveyard management committee.
Charges Initially Filed
The police initially registered the case under the charges of murder, concealment of crime, erasing of evidence, honor killing, abduction with intent to murder and abetment. Later in June this year, the prosecution added terrorism charges and transferred the court to the ATC.
