Lahore: A special Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) sentenced three convicts in Johar Town blast case to death nine times each after finding them guilty. Court also ordered confiscation of properties of three criminals. ATC Administrator Judge Abhar Gul Khan heard case.

Hearing was conducted via video link amid security concerns. After conclusion of arguments of witnesses and lawyers, court pronounced verdict in case.

Those sentenced to death were Samiul Haq, Aziz Akbar and Naveed Akhtar. A case had been registered against them with Johar Town Police Station in Lahore. CTD Inspector Khalid Akbar submitted challan against convicts.

In December last year, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said possible target of Lahore's Johar Town vehicle-borne improvised explosive device blast in June was Lashkar-e-Tayyaba Chief Hafiz Saeed, adding that mastermind of blast was an agent of Indian spy agency RAW.

Interior Minister Sanaullah claimed prime suspect Samiul Haq was arrested from Balochistan and during investigation, authorities learned that he was an agent of RAW since 2012.

Lahore's Johar Town blast occurred on June 23, 2021. A vehicle loaded with explosives could not get through Hafiz Saeed's residence due to tight security and was left parked at close location.

Published in The Daily National Courier, March, 08 2023

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