Double death sentence for Atif Zaman in anchor Mureed Abbas' murder
JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 9 July 2026 | JP Staff Report
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An Additional District and Sessions Court (South) sentenced Atif Zaman to death twice for the July 2019 killings of television anchor Mureed Abbas and businessman Khizar Hayat in Karachi. The court issued permanent arrest warrants for co accused Adil Zaman, who remains absconding.Summary
KARACHI — An Additional District and Sessions Court (South) on Wednesday sentenced Atif Zaman to death twice after finding him guilty of the murders of television anchor Mureed Abbas and businessman Khizar Hayat, bringing to a close a trial that spanned seven years. The verdict was announced by a court operating from the Judicial Complex Jail.
The court also issued permanent arrest warrants for co-accused Adil Zaman, who remains a proclaimed offender after absconding during the proceedings. According to the case record, Adil Zaman fled after the Supreme Court of Pakistan rejected his bail petition.
Court concludes long-running trial
Mureed Abbas and Khizar Hayat were shot dead on July 9, 2019, in Karachi. The killings drew widespread attention across Pakistan, particularly within the journalism community, because Abbas was a well-known television news anchor. The case was registered at Darakhshan Police Station against brothers Atif Zaman and Adil Zaman.
According to the prosecution, the two men killed Abbas and Hayat following a business dispute involving financial dealings. The court concluded that the prosecution had proved its case against Atif Zaman, resulting in two death sentences, one for each murder victim.
Co-accused remains absconding
While the proceedings against Atif Zaman have now concluded with the trial court's verdict, the case against Adil Zaman remains unresolved because of his status as a fugitive. The court renewed its efforts to secure his arrest by issuing permanent warrants, while his proclaimed offender status remains in effect.
The murders shocked Pakistan's media fraternity in 2019 and underscored the risks journalists can face even outside the course of their professional work. The conclusion of the trial marks a significant milestone in one of the country's most closely watched criminal cases involving a prominent television journalist.
WHY THIS MATTERS: The verdict concludes one of Pakistan's most closely watched murder trials involving a prominent television journalist. For media professionals, it highlights the importance of accountability in crimes involving journalists while underscoring how lengthy criminal proceedings can delay justice for victims' families and the wider media community.
ATTRIBUTION: Reporting by JournalismPakistan, based on publicly available court information provided on July 9, 2026.
PHOTO: AI-generated; for illustrative purposes only.
Key Points
- Atif Zaman was convicted and handed two death sentences, one for each victim.
- Victims were television anchor Mureed Abbas and businessman Khizar Hayat, killed on July 9, 2019 in Karachi.
- The trial lasted seven years and the verdict was announced from the Judicial Complex Jail.
- Prosecution said the motive was a business dispute involving financial dealings.
- Co-accused Adil Zaman absconded during proceedings and remains a proclaimed offender.
- The court issued permanent arrest warrants to secure the arrest of the fugitive co-accused.
Key Questions & Answers
Who was convicted in the case?
An Additional District and Sessions Court convicted Atif Zaman and sentenced him to death twice for the murders of Mureed Abbas and Khizar Hayat.
Who were the victims?
The victims were television anchor Mureed Abbas and businessman Khizar Hayat, killed on July 9, 2019 in Karachi.
What happened to the co-accused?
Co-accused Adil Zaman absconded during the proceedings; the court has declared him a proclaimed offender and issued permanent arrest warrants.
How long did the trial last?
The trial spanned about seven years and concluded with the recent verdict announced from the Judicial Complex Jail.
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