SHAHZAD LIAQAT vs State — 2026 SCMR 466 SUPREME-COURT

Fields are extracted from the reported citation and judgment text. Where a detail is not stated in the record, it is not shown.

SHAHZAD LIAQAT VS State. Section 302(b), Pakistan Penal Code, 1860---Qatl-i-amd---Reappraisal of evidence---Ocular account---Medical evidence---Reliability of related witnesses---Scope. Accused-appellant was charged for committing murder of son of complainant by firing. Complainant/father and paternal uncle of deceased furnished ocular account of occurrence. Held: Both eyewitnesses were residents of the Chak where incident took place. Their testimony was consistent on all material particulars including day, date, time and place of occurrence as well as manner in which appellant fired at deceased with .30 bore pistol. Eyewitnesses were also consistent regarding post-occurrence events including shifting of deceased from place of occurrence to hospital and lodging of report by complainant. Both witnesses directly implicated appellant for murder of deceased. Despite extensive cross-examination, nothing favourable to defence or detrimental to prosecution could be elicited from them. Occurrence took place in broad daylight and appellant, being co-villager, was well known to eyewitnesses; therefore, possibility of mistaken identity was completely excluded. No material existed suggesting prior enmity, animosity or motive for false implication. It was unbelievable and contrary to ordinary human conduct that real father and paternal uncle of deceased would substitute actual culprit of murder with an innocent person. Although witnesses were closely related to deceased, mere relationship did not render them unworthy of reliance where their presence was natural, statements remained firm and testimony was supported by independent circumstances. Medical evidence fully supported ocular account. Medical Officer observed a single firearm entry wound on chest of deceased with corresponding exit wound and opined that injury was sufficient to cause death in ordinary course of nature. Medical evidence reinforced reliability of eyewitness account. Circumstances established that prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. However, due to peculiar facts and circumstances, case fell within Exception 4 to erstwhile Section 300, P.P.C. and life imprisonment was reduced to twenty years imprisonment. Appeal was partly allowed.

SHAHZAD LIAQAT vs State — 2026 SCMR 466 SUPREME-COURT

Case information

Judgment text as reported

Other judgments reported in 2026 SCMR