ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) An Additional District and Sessions Court in Islamabad on Tuesday sentenced three men to life imprisonment after finding them guilty in the murder of transport union leader and political activist Majid Satti, bringing a major legal development in one of the capital’s high-profile criminal cases.
The court convicted Farrukh Khokhar, Amir Hamza and Haidar Ali under charges related to the murder and other associated offences. In addition to life imprisonment, each convict was ordered to pay Rs1 million in compensation to the legal heirs of the deceased.
However, the court acquitted another accused, Waseem, after concluding that the prosecution had failed to establish his involvement beyond reasonable doubt. The judge extended the benefit of doubt to the accused, resulting in his release from the case.
Following the announcement of the verdict, security personnel present inside the courtroom immediately took Farrukh Khokhar into custody. He had been attending court proceedings while on bail throughout the trial. Amir Hamza and Haidar Ali, who had been produced from prison for the hearing, were returned to jail after the sentencing to begin serving their life terms.
The case relates to the killing of Majid Satti, who was shot dead by unidentified armed men in August 2022 within the jurisdiction of Sadiqabad Police Station in Islamabad. The murder attracted widespread attention because of Satti’s prominent role in transport unions and his political activities.
According to the prosecution, investigators alleged that the murder had been planned in advance and was linked to personal rivalries. Police nominated Farrukh Khokhar and several associates during the investigation, claiming they had conspired to carry out the fatal attack.
During the trial, prosecutors presented documentary evidence, witness testimonies and other material gathered during the investigation. After examining the evidence and hearing arguments from both the prosecution and defence, the court concluded that the charges against the three convicted men had been proved beyond reasonable doubt.
The acquittal of one accused highlighted the court’s assessment that criminal convictions must be supported by sufficient and reliable evidence. Legal experts noted that the decision reflected the principle that any reasonable doubt should benefit the accused under Pakistan’s criminal justice system.
Police officials welcomed the verdict, describing it as the outcome of a detailed investigation and sustained prosecution efforts. A police spokesperson said the successful conviction demonstrated the importance of professional investigative work and close coordination between investigators and prosecutors in securing justice in serious criminal cases.
The spokesperson added that bringing those responsible to justice reinforces public confidence in the criminal justice system and sends a strong message that violent crimes will be pursued through legal channels until their conclusion.
The verdict also marks the end of a lengthy legal process that included multiple hearings, witness examinations and judicial review of the evidence submitted before the court. Family members of the deceased had repeatedly called for the case to be decided on merit and expressed hope that justice would be delivered.
Legal analysts observed that murder cases involving prominent public figures often attract significant public attention and require careful judicial scrutiny because of their social and political implications. They noted that the court’s detailed consideration of the available evidence formed the basis of its final decision.
With the judgment now delivered, the convicted individuals retain the legal right to challenge the verdict before a higher court under Pakistan’s appellate process. Any appeal would allow a superior court to review both the evidence and legal findings before reaching a final determination.
The ruling represents an important milestone in the Majid Satti murder case, concluding the trial at the sessions court level while reaffirming the judiciary’s role in deciding criminal cases through the examination of evidence, witness testimony and due process under the law.
