IN THE SUPREME COURT OF PAKISTAN 
(APPELLATE JURISDICTION) 
 
PRESENT: 
MR. JUSTICE IJAZ UL AHSAN 
MR. JUSTICE MUNIB AKHTAR 
MR. JUSTICE SAYYED MAZAHAR ALI AKBAR NAQVI 
 
CRIMINAL APPEALS NO. 400, 401 AND 402 OF 2019 
(Against the judgment dated 13.05.2019 passed by the High 
Court of Sindh, Karachi in Special Cr. ATA Nos. 19/2013, 
24/2013, 25/2013, Criminal Revision No. 40/2014 and Conf. 
Case No. 01/2013) 
 
Nawab Siraj Ali & Nawab Sajjad Ali 
In Crl.A.400/2019 
Ghulam Murtaza 
In Crl.A.401/2019 
Shahrukh Jatoi 
In Crl.A.402/2019 
 
…Appellant(s) 
Versus 
The State through A.G. Sindh 
 
…Respondent(s) 
(In all cases) 
 
For the Appellant(s): 
Mr. Mahmood Akhtar Qureshi, ASC 
(In Crl.A.400/2019) 
 
Syed Muhammad Farhad Tirmazi, ASC 
Syed Rifaqat Hussain Shah, AOR 
(In Crl.A.401/2019) 
 
Sardar M. Latif Khan Khosa, Sr. ASC 
Syed Rifaqat Hussain Shah, AOR 
(Assisted by Ms. Suzain Jehan Khan, A.H.C.) 
(In Crl.A.402/2019) 
 
 
For the Complainant(s): 
Mr. Muhammad Amir Malik, ASC 
(In all cases) 
 
 
For the State: 
Dr. Faiz-ul-Hassan Shah, P.G. Sindh 
Mr. Zafar Ahmed Khan, Addl.P.G. Sindh 
Mr. Fauzi Zafar, Addl.A.G. Sindh 
 
 
Date of Hearing: 
18.10.2022 
 
JUDGMENT 
SAYYED MAZAHAR ALI AKBAR NAQVI, J.- Appellants Nawab Siraj Ali, 
Nawab Sajjad Ali, Ghulam Murtaza and Shahrukh Jatoi were tried by the 
learned Anti Terrorism Court No. III, Karachi, pursuant to a case registered 
CRIMINAL APPEALS NO.400, 401 AND 402 OF 2019 
 
-: 2 :-
vide FIR No. 591/2012 dated 25.12.2012 under Sections 302/34 PPC at 
Police Station Darakhshan, Karachi for committing murder of Shahzaib, 
son of the complainant. During the course of investigation, Sections 
354/109 PPC read with Section 7 of the Anti Terrorism Act, 1997 were 
added and subsequently, report under Sections 173 Cr.P.C was submitted 
for the offences under Sections 302/354/109/34 PPC read with Section 7 
of the Anti Terrorism Act, 1997. Appellant Shahrukh Jatoi was also tried 
under Section 13(e) of the Pakistan Arms Ordinance, 1965 for possessing a 
pistol and four cartridges without license. The prosecution story as 
narrated by the learned Trial Court reads as under:- 
“Briefly, the facts of the case, as have come on record, are that in the 
intervening night of 24th and 25th December, 2012 at about 1215 hours, 
accused Ghulam Murtaza Lashari, cook of accused Nawab Siraj Ali Talpur 
and Nawab Sajjad Ali Talpur, assaulted Miss Maha with intent to outrage 
her modesty at the door of her flat situated at Country Club Apartment, 
Phase V, DHA, Karachi, when she had just returned after attending 
Valima reception of her sister Mrs. Paresha. Accused Nawab Siraj Ali 
Talpur, Nawab Sajjad Ali Talpur and their cook Ghulam Murtaza Lashari 
were her front door neighbours. On coming to know about the 
misbehavior of accused with her sister, deceased Shahzaib quarreled with 
the accused at the ground floor reception of the Country Club Apartment. 
Meanwhile his father complainant Orangzaib Khan along with his wife 
Mrs. Ambreen reached there and tried to cool down the situation, but 
the accused insisted that they would not be satisfied unless accused 
Ghulam Murtaza Lashari was allowed to slap the deceased. However, the 
complainant directed the deceased to tender apology which he did, but 
the accused were not satisfied. In order to avert the untoward situation, 
the complainant asked the deceased to leave the place. As soon as the 
deceased left the place in his car, accused Shahrukh Jatoi took out and 
brandished his pistol, made fires in air and loudly declared that he was 
Shahrukh Jatoi son of Sikandar Ali Jatoi and that he will kill the accused. 
Thereafter, all the four accused proceeded from there in a silver colour 
Toyota car of accused Shahrukh Jatoi. Apprehending evil designs of the 
accused, two friends of the deceased namely Mohammad Shah and 
Mohammad Ahmed Zuberi followed the deceased in their car; while 
parents of the deceased went to the flat of accused Nawab Siraj Ali 
Talpur and Nawab Sajjad Ali Talpur to talk to their father Nawab Imdad 
Ali Talpur. The accused intercepted the deceased near Bungalow 
No.44/1/1-A at Khayaban-e-Behria. Accused Shahrukh Jatoi and Nawab 
Siraj Ali Talpur had pistols and they made fires upon the deceased while 
accused Nawab Sajjad Ali Talpur and Ghulam Murtaza Lashari instigated 
them. P.Ws Mohammad Shah and Mohammad Ahmed Zuberi, who had 
also reached there and had witnessed the incident, took the deceased to 
Ziauddin hospital in their car and telephoned the complainant to reach 
the hospital while he and his wife were talking to Nawab Imdad Ali Talpur 
at his flat. However, the deceased died before reaching the hospital.” 
CRIMINAL APPEALS NO.400, 401 AND 402 OF 2019 
 
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2. 
 
On 07.03.2013, formal charge was framed against the 
appellants to which they pleaded not guilty and claimed trial. In order to 
prove its case, the prosecution produced as many as 23 witnesses.  In their 
statements recorded under Section 342 Cr.P.C, the appellants pleaded 
their innocence and refuted all the allegations leveled against them. They 
did not make statements on oath under Section 340(2) Cr.P.C in disproof 
of allegations leveled against them. However, they produced five 
witnesses in their defence. The learned Trial Court vide its judgment dated 
07.06.2013 convicted and sentenced the appellants as under:- 
 
1) 
Under Section 7(a) ATA read with Sections 302/109/34 PPC 
Sentenced appellants Shahrukh Jatoi and Nawab Siraj Ali 
Talpur to death while appellants Ghulam Murtaza Lashari 
and 
Nawab 
Sajjad 
Ali 
Talpur 
were 
sentenced 
to 
imprisonment for life.  
 
All the appellants were directed to pay Rs.500,000/- each to 
the legal heirs of the deceased or in default whereof to 
further undergo imprisonment for two years.  
 
 
2) 
Under Section 13(e) of the Arms Ordinance 
Appellant Shahrukh Jatoi was sentenced to rigorous 
imprisonment for three years.  
 
 
3) 
Under Section 354 PPC 
Appellant Ghulam Murtaza Lashari was sentenced to 
imprisonment for one year in addition to sentence of 
imprisonment for life. His sentence in two counts was 
directed to run concurrently.  
 
Benefit of Section 382-B Cr.P.C. was also given to appellants 
Shahrukh Jatoi, Nawab Sajjad Ali Talpur and Ghulam Murtaza 
Lashari.   
 
3. 
 
The appellants being aggrieved by the judgment of the 
learned Trial Court dated 07.06.2013, challenged the same through Special 
Criminal ATA Nos. 19, 24 and 25/2013 whereas Criminal Revision No. 
40/2014 was filed by the complainant before the High Court of Sindh, 
Karachi. The learned Trial Court also filed Reference under Section 374 
Cr.P.C., which was sent for confirmation of the sentence of death passed 
against the above-said two appellants. During the course of proceedings 
CRIMINAL APPEALS NO.400, 401 AND 402 OF 2019 
 
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before the learned High Court, the above-said appeals were decided vide 
order dated 28.11.2017 wherein it was held that the motive behind the 
occurrence relates to personal vendetta, therefore, the application of 
Section 6 of the Anti Terrorism Act, 1997, was not justified, hence, it was 
ordered that conviction and sentence recorded under Section 7 of the Anti 
Terrorism Act is not sustainable while sending the matter to the court of 
plenary jurisdiction for de novo trial. The said order of the High Court was 
challenged by civil society before this Court through Criminal Petition Nos. 
119-K/2017, 1-K & 2-K/2018. Leave to appeal was granted by this Court on 
13.01.2018, hence, Criminal Appeal Nos. 1-K to 3-K/2018 had arisen out of 
the leave granting order. Thereafter, this Court vide order dated 
01.02.2018 converted these Criminal Appeals into Suo Motu Case No. 
01/2018 while exercising jurisdiction under Article 184(3) of the 
Constitution and decided it in the manner as disclosed below:- 
 “These appeals are converted into a Suo Motu Case under Article 
184(3) of the Constitution with a direction to the office to assign a 
number thereto as such. 
 
 
 
2. 
For reasons to be recorded later the case is disposed of with 
the following orders: 
 
i) 
The common judgment passed by a learned Division Bench 
of the High Court of Sindh, Karachi on 28.11.2017 in Special 
Criminal ATA No.19 of 2013, Special Criminal ATA No.24 of 
2013, Special Criminal ATA No.25 of 2013, Criminal Revision 
Application No.40 of 2014 and Confirmation Case No.1 of 
2013 is set aside. 
ii) 
The order passed by the said Court in the above mentioned 
matters remanding the relevant criminal case to a court of 
ordinary jurisdiction for a de novo trial as well as all the 
post-remand proceedings before the trial court are also set 
aside. 
iii) 
Special Criminal ATA No.19 of 2013, Special Criminal ATA 
No.24 of 2013, Special Criminal ATA No.25 of 2013, Criminal 
Revision Application No.40 of 2014 and Confirmation Case 
No.1 of 2013 shall be deemed to be pending before the 
High Court of Sindh, Karachi and the same shall be finally 
decided on their merits at the Court’s earliest convenience, 
preferably within a period of two months by another bench 
of the High Court to be constituted by the Chief Justice of 
the Court. 
 
CRIMINAL APPEALS NO.400, 401 AND 402 OF 2019 
 
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iv) 
The accused persons convicted in the relevant criminal case 
by an Anti-Terrorism Court are ordered to be retaken into 
custody as their admission to bail during the post-remand 
proceedings was nullity in the eyes of law. Our order dated 
13.1.2018 putting the names of the accused on the ECL shall 
continue to hold the field till the time the main matters 
remanded to the High Court are finally disposed of.” 
 
4. 
 
In pursuance of the order passed by this Court and in the 
light of the guidelines issued by this Court, the matter was taken up by 
learned Division bench of the High Court of Sindh to decide the lis on 
merits. During the pendency of the aforesaid appeals before the High 
Court in second round of litigation, Miscellaneous Application No. 
6194/2013 in terms of Section 345 Cr.P.C. was filed on behalf of the 
appellants and the complainant. This application was accompanied by the 
list of witnesses and affidavits of the legal heirs wherein it was 
categorically stated that a compromise has been affected between the 
parties and they have pardoned the appellants in the name of Allah 
Almighty without any badl-e-sulah and had prayed for acquittal of the 
appellants for the charge of murder. The learned High Court in order to 
ascertain the authenticity, veracity and genuineness of the compromise, 
sent the matter to the learned Trial Court to record the statements of the 
legal heirs of the deceased and submit a report in this regard after fulfilling 
all legal requirements. The learned Trial Court in pursuance of the order of 
the High Court recorded the statements of the legal heirs of the deceased 
and vide report bearing No. ATC-III/KDIV/389/2014, Karachi, dated 
23.09.2014 held that the compromise between the parties is genuine, 
without any duress or coercion and all the legal heirs of the deceased 
Shahzeb have forgiven the appellants in the name of Allah Almighty 
without taking any badl-e-sulah or amount of diyat. The learned High 
Court also found the compromise between the parties to be genuine, 
without any coercion or duress and that all the legal heirs have forgiven 
the appellants in the name of Allah Almighty without undue pressure and 
even without any consideration of diyat. Ultimately, vide impugned 
judgment dated 13.05.2019, the learned High Court set aside the 
conviction of the appellants under Section 302/109/354/34 PPC on the 
CRIMINAL APPEALS NO.400, 401 AND 402 OF 2019 
 
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basis of compromise affected between the parties. As the sentence under 
Section 7 ATA was not compoundable, the learned High Court maintained 
the conviction of the appellants under the said provision of law. However, 
it reduced the punishment awarded to appellants Shahrukh Jatoi and 
Nawab Siraj Ali Talpur from death to imprisonment for life. The learned 
High Court also maintained the conviction and sentence of the appellants 
Ghulam Murtaza Lashari and Nawab Sajjad Ali Talpur under Section 7(a) of 
the Anti Terrorism Act i.e. imprisonment for life. However, benefit of 
Section 382-B Cr.P.C. was also extended in favour of the appellants. The 
appellants being aggrieved by the impugned judgment filed Criminal 
Petition Nos. 724, 784 & 785/2019 wherein leave was granted by this 
Court vide order dated 17.09.2019 and the present appeals have arisen 
thereafter.   
5. 
 
At the very outset, learned counsel for the appellant 
Shahrukh Jatoi contended that the occurrence has taken place over a 
petty issue arising out of quarrel between the deceased and the servant 
of the appellants. Contends that the same was the outcome of personal 
dispute, therefore, provision of Section 6 punishable under Section 7 of 
the Anti Terrorism Act is not applicable in the present case. Contends 
that so far as conviction and sentences under the provisions of 
302/109/34 PPC is concerned, the legal heirs of the deceased have 
pardoned the appellants in the name of Allah Almighty and have settled 
the matter, as such, the appellants deserve to be acquitted of the 
charge of terrorism being not attracted. Contends that so far as the 
conviction of the appellant under Section 13(e) of the Arms Ordinance 
is concerned, the recovery was planted on the appellant, therefore, the 
same may be set aside. In support of the arguments, learned counsel 
relied upon Ghulam Hussain Vs. The State (PLD 2020 SC 61), Muhammad 
Akram Vs. The State (2022 SCMR 18) & Muneer Malik Vs. The State (2022 
SCMR 1491). Learned counsel for the appellants in connected criminal 
appeals have adopted the arguments of learned counsel for the 
appellant Shahrukh Jatoi.  
CRIMINAL APPEALS NO.400, 401 AND 402 OF 2019 
 
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6. 
 
Learned Prosecutor General Sindh assisted by learned 
counsel for the complainant has supported the stance taken by the 
learned counsel for the appellants. It has very frankly been admitted by 
them that the present case does not fall within the ambit of ‘terrorism’ in 
view of the law laid down by this Court in the case of Ghulam Hussain Vs. 
The State (PLD 2020 SC 61), therefore, they have no objection if these 
appeals are allowed and the appellants are acquitted of the charge.  
7. 
 
We have heard learned counsel for the parties at some 
length and have perused the relevant case law on the subject. 
8. 
 
 There is no denial to this fact that the instant matter 
regarding murder of Shahzeb was initiated vide FIR No. 591/2012 dated 
25.12.2012 under Sections 302/34 PPC lodged at Police Station 
Darakhshan, Karachi, with an allegation that the appellants have 
committed murder of Shahzeb, son of the complainant with a motive of 
quarrel, which took place in Country club on previous night. A bare perusal 
of the crime report clearly reflects that the instant occurrence had taken 
place within the local limits of Police Station Darakhshan because of 
scuffle amongst youth in Country club at 2330 hours on 24.12.2012. 
However, the same was patched up but later on after the lapse of 20 
minutes, it was disclosed that the son of the complainant was done to 
death as a result of firearm injuries inflicted by the appellants before this 
Court. Primarily, while lodging the crime report, provisions of Anti 
Terrorism Act were not placed. However, at a belated stage, the said 
occurrence was considered a case falling within the ambit of Anti 
Terrorism Act, hence, the said provisions were added during the course of 
investigation. It is an admitted fact that the matter was contested 
between the parties up to the level of this Court in the first round of 
litigation when a finding was given by the learned High Court while 
deciding the lis that the provisions of Section 6 punishable under Section 7 
of the Anti Terrorism Act are not made out from the given facts and 
circumstances. Said finding of the learned High Court was agitated by Civil 
Society before this Court and ultimately the matter was remanded back to 
CRIMINAL APPEALS NO.400, 401 AND 402 OF 2019 
 
-: 8 :-
the High Court for deciding the appeals filed by the appellants afresh. 
During the proceedings before the High Court, an application for 
compromise duly signed by both the parties was filed and ultimately a 
report requisitioned from the learned Trial Court was finally adjudicated 
and decided by the learned High Court while accepting the factum of 
compromise between the parties in accordance with law. The question 
which requires determination by this Court is only confined to the 
question as to (i) whether the ingredients of terrorism are established 
from the facts and circumstances surfaced during the proceedings before 
trial court, (ii) whether the provision of Section 6 punishable under Section 
7 of the Anti Terrorism Act is applicable in the given circumstances, and 
(iii) whether the punishment inflicted by the High Court while reducing 
from death sentence to imprisonment for life was justified at all. 
Undeniably, it is an admitted fact that provisions of Anti Terrorism Act are 
co-related and ancillary to the substantive offence, which in all fairness is 
provision of Section 302 PPC. The gravity of said substantive offence can 
lead it to the conclusion whether the provisions of Anti Terrorism Act are 
attracted or not. Anti Terrorism Act is a special law enacted with a special 
intent and purpose, which can be gathered from the bare reading of 
Preamble of the said Act. It is principle of legislation that preamble of any 
enactment is always considered as grundnorm of the legislation, which 
expresses the postulates to attract the said provision of the enactment 
according to its scope of legislation. As stated above, the Anti-Terrorism 
Act is a special enactment and special enactment needs to be taken in 
perspective of its own object. Any departure from same would be 
negation of its object and spirit. A preamble of a statute is an 
introductory and expressionary statement that explains the very 
purpose and underlying philosophy behind the enactment. To better 
understand the scheme of Anti Terrorism Act, it would be in order to 
reproduce the Preamble of the Act, which reads as under:-    
       "An act to provide for the prevention of terrorism, 
sectarian violence and for speedy trial of heinous offences; 
CRIMINAL APPEALS NO.400, 401 AND 402 OF 2019 
 
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       Whereas it is expedient to provide for the prevention of 
terrorism, sectarian violence and for speedy trial of 
heinous offences and for matters connected therewith and 
incidental thereto; 
9. 
 
A bare perusal of the Preamble shows that the basic purpose 
behind the enactment of Anti Terrorism Act, 1997, was to prevent, (i) 
terrorism, (ii) sectarian violence, and (iii) for speedy trial of heinous 
offences. The word “terrorism” has been given the same meaning as 
assigned in Section 6 of the Act, which reads as under:- 
6. Terrorism.-(1) In this Act, “terrorism” means the use or threat of action 
where:- 
(a) 
the action falls within the meaning of sub-section (2); and 
(b) 
the use or threat is designed to coerce and intimidate or 
overawe the Government or the public or a section of the public 
or community or sect 5[or a foreign government or population 
or an international organization] or create a sense of fear or 
insecurity in society; or 
 
(c) 
the use or threat is made for the purpose of advancing a 
religious, sectarian or ethnic cause 1[or intimidating and 
terrorizing the public, social sectors, media persons, business 
community or attacking the civilians, including damaging 
property by ransacking, looting, arson or by any other means, 
government officials, installations, security forces or law 
enforcement agencies:] 
 
[Provided that nothing herein contained shall apply to a democratic and 
religious rally or a peaceful demonstration in accordance with law.] 
 
(2) 
An “action” shall fall within the meaning of sub-section (1), if it:- 
(a) 
involves the doing of any thing that causes death; 
(b) 
involves grievous violence against a person or grievous bodily 
injury or harm to a person; 
(c) 
involves grievous damage to property 2[including government 
premises, official installations, schools, hospitals, offices or any 
other public or private property including damaging property by 
ransacking, looting or arson or by any others means; 
 
(d) 
involves the doing of any thing that is likely to cause death or 
endangers person’s life;  
(e) 
involves kidnapping for ransom, hostage-taking or hijacking; 
 
(ee) 
involves use of explosive by any device including bomb blast 2[or 
having any explosive substance without any lawful justification 
or having been unlawfully concerned with such explosive; 
 
(f) 
incites hatred and contempt on religious, sectarian or ethnic 
basis to strip up violence or cause internal disturbance; 
(g) 
involves taking the law in own hand, award of any punishment 
by an organization, individual or group whatsoever, not 
recognized by the law, with a view to coerce, intimidate or 
terrorize public, individuals, groups, communities, government 
CRIMINAL APPEALS NO.400, 401 AND 402 OF 2019 
 
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officials and institutions, including law enforcement agencies 
beyond the purview of the law of the land; 
(h) 
involves 
firing 
on 
religious 
congregation, 
mosques, 
imambargahs, churches, temples and all other places or 
worship, or random firing to spread panic, or involves any 
forcible takeover of mosques or other places of worship; 
(i) 
creates a serious risk to safety of the public or a section of the 
public, or is designed to frighten the general public and thereby 
prevent them from coming out and carrying on their lawful 
trade 
and daily business, and disrupts civic life; 
(j) 
involves the burning of vehicles or any other serious form of 
arson; 
(k) 
involves extortion of money (“bhatta”) or property; 
(I) 
is designed to seriously interfere with or seriously disrupt a 
communication system or public utility service; 
(m) 
involves serious coercion or intimidation of a public servant in 
order to force him to discharge or to refrain from discharging 
his lawful duties;  
(n) 
involves serious violence against a member of the police force, 
armed forces, civil armed forces, or a public servant; 
(o) 
involves in acts as part of armed resistance by groups or 
individuals against law enforcement agencies; or 
(p) 
involves in dissemination, preaching ideas, teachings and beliefs 
as per own interpretation on FM stations or through any other 
means of communication without explicit approval of the 
government or its concerned departments.] 
(3) 
The use or threat of use of any action falling within sub-section (2) 
which involves the use of firearms, explosive or any other weapon is terrorism, 
whether or not sub-section (1) (c) is satisfied. 
 
(3A) 
Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), an action in 
violation of a convention specified in the Fifth Schedule shall be an act of 
terrorism under this Act.] 
(4) 
In this section “action” includes an act or a series of acts. 
(5) 
In this Act, terrorism includes any act done for the benefit of a 
proscribed organization. 
(6) 
A person who commits an offence under this section or any other 
provision of this Act, shall be guilty of an act of terrorism. 
(7) 
In this Act, a “terrorist” means:- 
(a) 
an individual who has committed an offence of terrorism under 
this Act, and is or has been concerned in the commission, 
preparation, 1[facilitation, funding] or instigation of acts of 
terrorism; 
(b)  
an individual who is or has been, whether before or after the 
coming into force of this Act, concerned in the commission, 
preparation, 1[facilitation, funding] or instigation of acts of 
terrorism, shall also be included in the meaning given in clause 
(a) above. 
10. 
 
Section 6 defines terrorist acts, Section 7 provides 
punishment for such acts whereas Section 8 prohibits acts intended or 
likely to stir up sectarian hatred mentioned in clauses (a) to (d) thereof. 
The word “sectarian” has been described as “pertaining to, devoted to, 
peculiar to, or one which promotes the interest of a religious sects, or 
CRIMINAL APPEALS NO.400, 401 AND 402 OF 2019 
 
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sects, in a bigoted or prejudicial manner”. However, the word “heinous 
offence” has not been described in the Act. In common parlance “heinous 
offence” means an offence which is serious, gruesome, brutal, sensational 
in character or shocking to public morality and which is punishable under 
laws of the land. A bare reading of the Anti Terrorism Act reveals that an 
Anti-Terrorism Court has been conferred jurisdiction not only to try all 
those offences which attract the definition of ‘terrorism’ provided by 
the Act but also some other cases, which have been specified in Third 
Schedule of the Act involving heinous offences which do not fall in the 
said definition of terrorism. The sole purpose of trying such offences by 
the Anti Terrorism Court is for speedy trial of such heinous offences 
irrespective of the fact that they do not fall within the ambit of 
‘terrorism’. This Court in the case of Ghulam Hussain Vs. The State (PLD 
2020 SC 61) while elaborately discussing the scope and intent of the 
legislature behind the enactment of Anti Terrorism Act, 1997, has held 
that “an act of 'terrorism' is not just a grave offence but it is a class and 
species apart and this class or species has to be understood in its true 
and correct perception and perspective otherwise every serious offence 
may be found by one Judge or the other to involve terrorism depending 
upon a subjective assessment of the potential of the act to create some 
sense of fear or insecurity in some section of the society. Such an 
approach may not be wholesome as it may ultimately result in every 
case of a serious offence landing in a Special Court and thereby 
rendering the ordinary courts substantially redundant. It ought not to 
be lost sight of that the legislature's repeal of the Suppression of 
Terrorist Activities (Special Courts) Act, 1975, doing away with the 
Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 at one stage and also its 
retraction from the 'effect' through the fresh definition of 'terrorism' 
cannot be without any significance or purpose. That drastic change of 
the definition manifestly indicated a change of meanings and of focus 
and such a change has to be given its proper effect. After all if the term 
'terrorism' as defined today is still to be interpreted in the same manner 
as the erstwhile term 'terrorist act' then there was hardly any occasion 
CRIMINAL APPEALS NO.400, 401 AND 402 OF 2019 
 
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or need for the legislature to amend the definition and to bring about 
any change in the existing law in that regard. The legacy and 
interpretations pertaining to the Suppression of Terrorist Activities 
(Special Courts) Act, 1975 and of the original provisions of the Anti-
Terrorism Act, 1997 have now to be shaken or shrugged off so as to 
correctly understand the definition of 'terrorism' introduced through 
the later Act and its amendments. This Court had itself declared in the 
case of Mumtaz Ali Khan Rajban and another v. Federation of Pakistan 
and others (PLD 2001 SC 169) that the subject matters of the 
Suppression of Terrorist Activities (Special Courts) Act, 1975 and the 
Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 were "different" and their respective 
applicability was "governed by different criteria". The Court further held 
that the “distinction between cases of terrorism and cases of specified 
heinous offences not amounting to terrorism but triable by an Anti-
Terrorism Court has already been recognized by this Court in the cases 
of Farooq Ahmed v. State and another (2020 SCMR 78), Amjad Ali and 
others v. The State (PLD 2017 SC 661) and Muhammad Bilal v. The State 
and others (2019 SCMR 1362). It has been clarified by this Court in 
those cases that such specified heinous offences are only to be tried by 
an Anti-Terrorism Court and that court can punish the person 
committing such specified heinous offences only for commission of 
those offences and not for committing terrorism because such offences 
do not constitute terrorism. For the purposes of further clarity on this 
issue it is explained for the benefit of all concerned that the cases of the 
offences specified in entry No. 4 of the Third Schedule to the Anti-
Terrorism Act, 1997 are cases of those heinous offences which do not 
per se constitute the offence of terrorism but such cases are to be tried 
by an Anti-Terrorism Court because of their inclusion in the Third 
Schedule. It is also clarified that in such cases of heinous offences 
mentioned in entry No. 4 of the said Schedule an Anti-Terrorism Court 
can pass a punishment for the said offence and not for committing the 
offence of terrorism. It may be pertinent to mention here that the 
offence of abduction or kidnapping for ransom under section 365-A, 
CRIMINAL APPEALS NO.400, 401 AND 402 OF 2019 
 
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PPC is included in entry No. 4 of the Third Schedule and kidnapping for 
ransom is also one of the actions specified in section 7(e) of the Anti-
Terrorism Act, 1997. Abduction or kidnapping for ransom is a heinous 
offence but the scheme of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 shows that an 
ordinary case of abduction or kidnapping for ransom under section 365-
A PPC is merely triable by an Anti-Terrorism Court but if kidnapping for 
ransom is committed with the design or purpose mentioned in clauses 
(b) or (c) of subsection (1) of section 6 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 
then such offence amounts to terrorism attracting section 7(e) of that 
Act. In the former case the convicted person is to be convicted and 
sentenced only for the offence under section 365-A, P.P.C. whereas in 
the latter case the convicted person is to be convicted both for the 
offence under section 365-A PPC as well as for the offence under 
section 7(e) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997. The same may also be said 
about the other offences mentioned in entry No. 4 of the Third 
Schedule to the Act pertaining to "Use of firearms or explosives by any 
device, including bomb blast in a mosque, imambargah, church, temple 
or any other place of worship, whether or not any hurt or damage is 
caused thereby", "Firing or use of explosive by any device, including 
bomb blast in the court premises", "Hurt caused by corrosive substance 
or attempt to cause hurt by means of a corrosive substance" and 
"Unlawful possession of an explosive substance or abetment for such an 
offence under the Explosive Substances Act, 1908". Such distinction 
between cases of terrorism and other heinous offences by itself 
explains and recognizes that all heinous offences, howsoever serious, 
grave, brutal, gruesome, macabre or shocking, do not ipso facto 
constitute terrorism which is a species apart.” This Court in the seven 
members’ bench judgment has settled the issue that not every case of 
grievous bodily injury or harm, damage to private property, doing 
anything that is likely to cause death or endangers a person’s life etc 
would amount to terrorism. It would be in order to reproduce the 
relevant portion of the said judgment, which reads as under:- 
CRIMINAL APPEALS NO.400, 401 AND 402 OF 2019 
 
-: 14 :-
“If the said requirements and purposes mentioned in clause (c) 
of subsection (1) of section 6 do not need to be satisfied and if 
mere use or threat of use of a firearm, an explosive substance 
or any other weapon for commission of the actions mentioned 
in subsection (2) of section 6 is to ipso facto constitute the 
offence of terrorism then every murder committed (action 
under clause (a) of subsection (2) of section 6), every grievous 
bodily injury or harm caused (action under clause (b) of 
subsection (2) of section 6), every grievous damage to private 
property (action under clause (c) of subsection of section 6), 
doing anything that is likely to cause death or endangers a 
person's life (action under clause (d) of subsection (2) of 
section 6) or creating a serious risk to safety of the public or a 
section of the public (action under clause (i) of subsection (2) of 
section 6) even if committed with an ordinary stick, a brickbat 
or a stone when used as a weapon would constitute the 
offence of terrorism! Such trivializing of the diabolical offence 
of terrorism surely could not be the intention of the legislature 
when framing a law for the offence of terrorism which is a class 
apart and a species different from any other ordinary 
crime................................................... 
...... mere shock, horror, dread or disgust created or likely to be 
created in the society does not transform a private crime into 
terrorism but terrorism as an 'ism' is a totally different concept 
which denotes commission of a crime with the design or 
purpose of destabilizing the government, disturbing the society 
or hurting a section of the society with a view to achieve 
objectives which are essentially political, ideological or 
religious. This approach also appears to be in harmony with the 
emerging international perspective and perception about 
terrorism. The international perception is also becoming 
clearer on the point that a violent activity against civilians that 
has no political, ideological or religious aims is just an act of 
criminal delinquency, a felony, or simply an act of insanity 
unrelated to terrorism. This metamorphosis in the anti-
terrorism law in our country has brought about a sea change in 
the whole concept as we have understood it in the past and it 
is, therefore, of paramount importance for all concerned to 
understand this conceptual modification and transformation in 
its true perspective. 
 
11. 
 
Admittedly, in the present case, the occurrence took place 
due to cutting indecent joke with daughter of the complainant by the 
appellant Ghulam Murtaza Lashari, who was cook of the appellant 
Shahrukh Jatoi, which aggravated the situation and ultimately resulted 
into instant unfortunate incident. If the facts of this case are evaluated on 
the touchstone of the very scheme of the Anti Terrorism Act and the 
CRIMINAL APPEALS NO.400, 401 AND 402 OF 2019 
 
-: 15 :-
dictum laid down by a larger Bench comprising of seven members of this 
Court, it becomes crystal clear that there was no element of terrorism in 
the present case. This aspect also lends support from the fact that the 
father of the deceased, who was himself a police officer, while lodging the 
crime report admitted that scuffle took place amongst youth in Country 
club, which ultimately resulted into the instant unfortunate incident. It is a 
matter of great concern and apathy that a young man lost his life as a 
result of an incident, which was initiated by servant of the appellant 
Shahrukh Jatoi and the deceased became a classic example of egoistic 
approach, which in all eventualities is drastic and the society cannot 
accredit the same by any stretch of imagination. The involvement of civil 
society while agitating the grievances of an individual lends support that 
the egocentric attitude is unacceptable leaving far reaching impression not 
only for the youth of the day rather for the generations to come. All these 
facts and circumstances when considered and evaluated conjointly, it 
might imprint an impression otherwise but we are constrained to follow 
the Constitution and the law on the subject. It seems essential to reiterate 
that the courts adjudicate the matters without being influenced by 
passions. The prime duty of the Court is to do justice according to its own 
conscience. While dealing with the life and liberty of an accused, utmost 
care and caution is required to be exercised by the Courts of law because 
slight carelessness on their part may deprive an accused person/citizen of 
his life and may cause irreparable hardship and damage to his family. 
Reference is placed on Khalil-uz-Zaman Vs. The State (PLD 1994 SC 885). 
We also feel it appropriate to refer to a bouquet of Ahadees mentioned in 
Khalil-uz-Zaman supra case on this issue, which is as follows:- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CRIMINAL APPEALS NO.400, 401 AND 402 OF 2019 
 
-: 16 :-
12. 
 
We feel appropriate to refer to some of the judgments of 
this Court where the occurrence took place due to personal 
vendetta/enmity and the substantive offence under Section 302 PPC was 
compromised between the parties, this Court set aside the conviction and 
sentence of the accused under Section 7 of the Anti Terrorism Act, 1997. 
In the case of Muhammad Akram Vs. The State (2022 SCMR 18), the 
accused committed murder of his wife under the impulses of ‘ghairat’. He 
was convicted under Section 302(b) PPC read with Section 7 of the Anti 
Terrorism Act and was sentenced to imprisonment for life. During the 
pendency of his petition before this Court, the parties compromised the 
matter. The Court accepted the compromise and set aside the conviction 
of the accused under Section 7 of the Anti Terrorism Act. The judgment of 
Muhammad Akram supra case was further reiterated by this Court in the 
case of Muneer Malik Vs The State (2022 SCMR 1494). The same was the 
case in Amjad Ali Vs. The State (PLD 2017 SC 661), Dilawar Mehmood Vs. 
The State (2018 SCMR 593), Muhammad Bilal Vs. The State (2019 SCMR 
1362) and Farooq Ahmed Vs. The State (2020 SCMR 78). In these 
circumstances, there left no ambiguity that the present case was the 
outcome of personal egoistic approach and there was no design or 
purpose of destabilizing the government, disturbing the society or 
hurting a section of the society with a view to achieve objectives which 
are essentially political, ideological or religious, therefore, provisions of 
Anti Terrorism Act were not applicable in the present case. 
13. 
 
So far as the conviction of the appellant Shahrukh Jatoi 
under Section 13(e) of the Arms Ordinance is concerned, admittedly the 
crime empties were firstly sent to Forensic Science Laboratory on 
31.12.2012 but subsequently they were taken back on 17.01.2013 and 
were re-submitted later on along with the alleged recovered pistol from 
the appellant on 23.01.2013. This Court in a number of cases has held that 
if the crime empty is sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory after the 
arrest of the accused or together with the crime weapon, the positive 
report of the said Laboratory looses its evidentiary value. Sending the 
crime empties together with the weapon of offence is not a safe way to 
CRIMINAL APPEALS NO.400, 401 AND 402 OF 2019 
 
-: 17 :-
sustain conviction of the accused and it smacks of foul play on the part of 
the Investigating Officer simply for the reason that till recovery of weapon, 
he kept the empties with him for no justifiable reason. In this view of the 
matter, we set aside the conviction of the appellant Shahrukh Jatoi under 
Section 13(e) of the Arms Ordinance. 
14. 
 
For what has been discussed above, these appeals are 
allowed and the impugned judgment is set aside. The appellants are 
acquitted of the charge. They shall be released from jail forthwith if not 
required/detained in any other case. The above are the detailed reasons of 
our short order of even date.   
 
 
 
JUDGE 
 
 
 
JUDGE 
 
 
 
JUDGE 
Islamabad, the 
18th of October, 2022 
Approved For Reporting 
Khurram