LHC acquits death row prisoner in murder case

LAHORE - The Lahore High Court (LHC) has allowed an appeal filed by death-row prisoner Maqsood alias Saeed and acquitted him of murder charges, extending to him the benefit of doubt. The court also set aside his death sentence and ordered his immediate release. The court also rejected the murder reference submitted for confirmation of the death sentence. A two-member bench comprising Chief Justice Aalia Neelum and Justice Abher Gul Khan issued a detailed 22-page judgment on Wednesday on Maqsood's appeal against his conviction and death sentence. During the proceedings, Additional Prosecutor General Punjab Muhammad Akhlaq and counsel for the complainant presented arguments on behalf of the prosecution. However, they failed to satisfy the court that the prosecution had established the case against the accused through reliable evidence.