ATC indicts PAF officer’s murderer, summons witnesses

Dawn · 23/10/2026، 4:20:16 AM

ISLAMABAD: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Thursday indicted an accused arrested in connection with the murder of Group Captain Asim Tariq, and summoned prosecution witnesses to record their statements. Judge Abual Hasnat Mohammad Zulqarnain of the ATC conducted the hearing, during which the accused, Saad Abbasi, was produced before the court. The judge read out the charges against the accused, who pleaded not guilty and opted to contest the case. After the indictment, the court summoned the prosecution witnesses for the next hearing and adjourned the proceedings until November 2. Police have registered a case against the accused at Margalla Police Station in connection with the murder. On July 5, the PAF Group Captain was martyred in Islamabad in a bid to save a woman as the suspect was trying to take her away “forcefully”. As Tariq intervened, Abbasi opened fire, which hit the officer. Published in Dawn, October 23rd, 2026