Khalilur Rehman kidnap case: ATC sentences three accused to seven years

The Lahore Anti-Terrorism Court today sentenced three individuals to seven years in prison each in a high-profile case involving the honey-trapping and attempted kidnapping for ransom of renowned Pakistani playwright Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar.

Judge Arshad Javed announced the verdict, convicting Amna Urooj, Mamnoon Haider, and Zeeshan for demanding ransom.

Each was handed a seven-year sentence. However, other individuals named in the case were acquitted due to lack of sufficient evidence.

According to the court ruling, while the accusation of kidnapping could not be conclusively proven, there was clear evidence that the convicted individuals demanded ransom. The court emphasized that the sentence reflects the gravity of the crime and serves as a deterrent to prevent similar acts in society.

The case involved allegations that the accused lured Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar into a trap through deceit, using a form of honey-trapping before attempting to kidnap him and demand ransom. During the trial, the prosecution and police presented detailed findings, leading to the convictions.

The court had earlier reserved its verdict in the case, with the announcement scheduled for April 14. Qamar’s legal counsel had urged the court to impose the death penalty on the accused.

The incident occurred in July of the previous year, when, according to prosecutors, Amna Urooj invited Qamar to her apartment under false pretenses, secretly recorded him, and participated in his abduction in an effort to extort money.