QUETTA: In a major ruling in a high-profile traffic policeman’s death case, the Balochistan High Court has overturned the acquittal of former PkMAP MPA Abdul Majeed Khan Achakzai and sentenced him to 10 years in prison for running over traffic sub-inspector Haji Attaullah while driving recklessly.
The court accepted the government’s appeal against the September 2020 acquittal, holding Achakzai responsible for the officer’s death. It also ordered immediate steps to arrest the former lawmaker, who is currently out on bail, and issued directions for his transfer to prison to serve the sentence.
A two-member bench comprising Justice Muhammad Aamir Nawaz Rana and Justice Abdul Qayyum Lehri accepted the government’s appeal against Achakzai’s acquittal by the Additional Sessions Judge-VI/Model Criminal Trial Court-II, Quetta, on September 4, 2020.
In its ruling, the high court found Achakzai responsible for the death of Attaullah, who was on duty when the incident occurred. The court held that the former lawmaker had run over the traffic police officer while driving at high speed and with gross negligence.
The court convicted Achakzai under Section 320 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and awarded him 10 years of rigorous imprisonment. It also directed him to pay diyat (blood money) to the legal heirs of the deceased.
The high court further directed the Additional Sessions Judge-VI, Quetta, to immediately issue non-bailable arrest warrants for Achakzai, who is currently out on bail, to ensure his arrest and transfer to prison to serve his sentence.
The relevant administrative and police authorities were also ordered to ensure immediate execution of the arrest warrants in accordance with the law.
