The Lahore High Court (LHC) acquits two death row convicts

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday acquitted two death row convicts after granting them the benefit of doubt in a murder case

LAHORE, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 23rd Jun, 2026) The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday acquitted two death row convicts after granting them the benefit of doubt in a murder case.

A two-member bench headed by Justice Shehram Sarwar Chaudhry heard the appeals filed by convicts Safdar Khan and Qalab Abbas against their convictions and death sentences.

Advocate Pir Masood Chishti, representing the appellants, argued that a murder case had been registered against the convicts at Qadirpur Police Station in Jhang on January 18, 2018. The prosecution had alleged that the accused murdered Zafar Khan and injured another person, Zulfiqar.

The counsel contended that the trial court had failed to properly appreciate the evidence on record and that there were material contradictions in the statements of the complainant and injured witness Zulfiqar.

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He further argued that while one prosecution witness declared Safdar Khan innocent, another implicated him in the crime.

The defence also pointed out discrepancies between the medical evidence and eyewitness accounts. According to the medical report, the victim sustained gunshot wounds from behind, whereas eyewitnesses claimed the shots were fired from the front.

He requested the court to set aside the judgment of the trial court, which had awarded them the death penalty on April 29, 2023.

After hearing the arguments, the court accepted the appeals, declared the convictions unsustainable, and acquitted both convicts by extending the benefit of doubt.