KARACHI: Family members of renowned rights activist Perveen Rehman said on Monday they would approach the Supreme Court for justice after the Sindh High Court (SHC) acquitted all five men convicted in the 2013 murder of the development worker, citing a lack of evidence and ordering their release.
Last year, an antiterrorism court sentenced four men implicated in the killing of Rehman to life in prison while a fifth man was sentenced to seven years.
A hugely popular architect, Rehman had worked in some of the poorest neighborhoods in Karachi, Pakistan's financial hub, and headed the Orangi Pilot Project, which helped communities build sewer and water systems.
Rehman was ambushed by two gunmen who opened fire before fleeing the scene on March 13, 2013 as the activist returned home from her office in Orangi, a Karachi town considered one of the largest slums in Asia.
“We have found many doubts concerning the appellant's involvement in the murder of the deceased,” the court said in its order as it acquitted all appellants and suspended the antiterrorism court’s 2021 judgement.
The SHC said the antiterrorism court had handed down its verdict based on “circumstantial evidence,” including an interview of Rehman and a confessional statement of the suspects which was not recorded before a magistrate, as required by the law.
Rehman had been documenting land-use in and around Karachi, which some believe may have angered local land-grabbing criminal groups. She is believed to have been receiving death threats for years before she was killed.
Aquila Ismail, Rehman's sister, told Geo News the SHC verdict was "beyond comprehension."
"Everything was clear, both the joint investigation teams found the suspects guilty [of her murder], however, everything was ended today," she said, adding that the family would appeal the SHC ruling in the Supreme Court.
