- Home
- Pakistan
- Crime
- Supreme Court disposes of Kohistan video case, directs petitioner to approach Peshawar High Court
Supreme Court Disposes Of Kohistan Video Case, Directs Petitioner To Approach Peshawar High Court
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published January 02, 2019 | 11:07 PM
The Supreme Court Wednesday disposed of the plea pertaining to the Kohistan video scandal and directed the petitioner to approach the Peshawar High Court (PHC) to include terror clauses in the case.
A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar resumed hearing of the suo motu case pertaining to the six years old Kohistan video scandal that led to the murder of five women on the directives of a Jirga.
During the course of proceedings, the additional attorney general informed the court that the video regarding the Kohistan scandal was not fake. Shams Uddin, who was main accused in the case and responsible for the incident, had been murdered while the nine others were in custody, he added.
Meanwhile, the petitioner requested the bench to transfer the trial from Kohistan to Abbtabad and pleaded to add terrorism clause in the case.
However, the the apex court directed him to approach the PHC further remedy and wrapped up the case.
It may be added that in May 2012, Afzal Kohistani had uploaded a video on social media showing his brothers dancing at a programme, with some girls singing and clapping. After the video got leaked, a Jirga was held by the girls' tribe which issued a decree for the killing of the boys and girls under 'Riwaj' (a tribal custom).
Afzal, whose brothers were shown in the video, appealed to a court that the five girls - Bazgha, Sireen Jan, Amna, Begum Jan and Shaheen, who had taken them to the programme, had been killed on the order of the Jirga.
The then Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Chaudhry had taken a suo moto notice of the case on June 7, 2012 and constituted a fact-finding mission on July 17, 2012 to investigate the case.
The commission visited Kohistan and presented its report to the Supreme Court on July 20, 2017, which stated that the girls were alive. One of the commission members, Dr Farzana Bari expressed her doubts that the girls, which were produced before them clad in burqa and veil, were not the ones which were shown in the video.
On January 3, 2013, Afzal's three brothers named Shah Faisal, Sher Wali and Raffiduddin were killed inside their homes by the girls' tribesmen.
Meanwhile, Bari with the help of human rights activists and Afzal had got some tests conducted to ensure that the girls were same, but the results suggested otherwise.
When the case was appealed to be reopened, the apex court ordered the National Database and Registration Authority to match fingerprints and CNICs. The tests came back negative.
On July 31, 2018, a new case was registered at the Palas Police Station on the Supreme Court's orders.
Four suspects namely Umar Khan, Saber, Mohamad Sarfraz and Saeer were arrested. Upon interrogation, the suspects confessed to killing three girls Begum Jan, Sireen Jan and Bazgha by firing, saying they disposed the bodies in Nala Chorh.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Delegation of international investors meets Finance Minister
Federal Govt stands with Balochistan for its development: Naqvi
UAE President receives condolences of Prime Minister of Pakistan over passing of ..
ECC approves to enhance wheat procurement targets
UN urges Israel to 'stop escalation' as tanks enter Gaza's Rafah city
EU stumps up $125 mn for Yemen after aid groups' plea
Governor Tessori condemns May 9 riots, calls it a 'pre-planned conspiracy'
PM condoles with UAE President over Sheikh Tahnoun’s death
Milan nets Giro 4th stage, Pogacar retains lead
UBS back in profit after Credit Suisse takeover losses
Asiya Gul lauds Shafaat's services as DG LG
President for dialogue with all political forces in Balochistan
More Stories From Pakistan
-
Mohsin Naqvi pays surprise visit to NADRA center
39 minutes ago -
May 9 vandalism against state of Pakistan: Muqam
2 hours ago -
Federal Govt stands with Balochistan for its development: Naqvi
2 hours ago -
Governor Tessori condemns May 9 riots, calls it a 'pre-planned conspiracy'
2 hours ago -
PM condoles with UAE President over Sheikh Tahnoun’s death
2 hours ago -
Asiya Gul lauds Shafaat's services as DG LG
2 hours ago
-
President for dialogue with all political forces in Balochistan
4 hours ago -
Supreme Court adjourns IHC judges letter case
4 hours ago -
RDMC, Hunar Foundation Vocational Training Center inaugurated in Nokkundi
4 hours ago -
Man critically injured as vehicle catches fire amid CNG filling
4 hours ago -
Provincial health ministers chair meeting of Punjab Blood Transfusion Authority
4 hours ago -
Sheikh Jafar Khan Mandukhel assumes charge as Governor Balochistan
4 hours ago