Nazim Jokhio’s widow Shireen Jokhio and Afzal Jokhio, the complainant in the case, said on Saturday that they would not mind if PPP MPA Jam Owais and five of his associates are acquitted in the case.
However, during the hearing, he said that he would not pardon the accused Mir Ali, Haider Ali and Niaz Salar and wanted a case of murder against them.
Accused Jam Owais, who is facing charges of killing Nazim Jokhiv along with his servants, was not produced in the sessions court for the fourth consecutive hearing.
Additional District and Sessions Judge-I (Malir) Faraz Ahmad Chandio resumed the hearing of the case and the arrested accused Mir Ali and Haider Ali along with those who were released on bail, Muhammad Meraj, Muhammad Saleem Salar, Ahmed Khan Shoro, Muhammad Duda Khan and Muhammad Sommer – appeared in court. However, the PPP legislator was not presented by the jail authorities.
A police official, Naik Mohammad, submitted a report informing the judge that Jam Owais had been admitted to Darul Sahath Hospital. He also kept the medical certificate of the accused on record. This is the fourth time he has not been brought to court due to “ill health”.
The court recorded the statements of the victim’s widow and the complainant regarding the out-of-court settlement reached with the legislator and others.
The learned judge adjourned the hearing of the case till October 28 when he would record the statement of the victim’s mother, Ms. The court issued the production order for Jam Owais and directed the jail authorities to produce him on the next date.
The accused, through their lawyers Wazir Hussain Khoso and Asadullah Memon, had filed applications under Sections 345(2), 345(4) and 345(6) of the Penal Code, stating that a settlement had been reached between the two parties. Under which the victim’s family forgave the accused in the name of Allah and without accepting blood money or any other form of financial compensation.
It is prayed on behalf of the parties that this honorable court may kindly accept this compromise and acquit the petitioners in the said crime/case as the legal heirs of the deceased have forgiven the petitioners in the name of Allah Almighty. Don’t want to pursue the case against him further,” read one petition. Affidavits signed by Shireen and Jamiat were also submitted along with the applications.
The National Database Registration Authority, Station House Officer of Memongoth police station and the concerned authority have already submitted their reports regarding the legal heirs of the deceased on the direction of the court.
The journalist was found dead in the farmhouse of the PPP MPA in November last year. He was allegedly killed after he posted a video on social media that showed foreigners visiting Thatta district hunting Hobara bustards. The foreigners were reportedly guests of the PPP legislators.
