Key Points: 

• Final Verdict: An anti-terrorism court in Karachi has sentenced the main accused, Atif Zaman, to two counts of the death penalty. 

• Long Legal Battle: This landmark decision successfully concludes a complex legal process that spanned seven years. 

• Financial Penalty: In addition to the capital sentence, the court ordered the convict to pay a Rs. 1 million fine to the victims’ families. 

• Fugitive Warrant: Furthermore, the court issued permanent arrest warrants for the co-accused, Adil Zaman, who remains at large. 

KARACHI – A Special Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Karachi has delivered its final judgment in the high-profile murder case of television anchor Mureed Abbas and his business partner, Khizer Hayat. Operating within the Judicial Complex at Central Jail Karachi, the court found the prime suspect, Atif Zaman, guilty on multiple counts of homicide. Consequently, the judge awarded him a double death sentence for his actions. 

Along with the capital punishment, the court imposed a significant financial penalty of Rs. 1 million. Therefore, according to the judicial directive, this total sum must be distributed directly to the legal heirs of the deceased. Meanwhile, the court issued permanent arrest warrants for the convict’s brother, Adil Zaman. Because he absconded after the Supreme Court rejected his bail plea, authorities have officially classified him as a proclaimed offender. 

Background of the Financial Dispute 

The structural roots of this case trace back to July 9, 2019, in Karachi’s Defense neighborhood. At that time, a severe dispute regarding a business investment culminated in a fatal confrontation in the Khayaban-e-Bukhari area. For this reason, the encounter resulted in the immediate death of Bol News anchor Mureed Abbas due to multiple injuries. Similarly, his business associate, Khizer Hayat, later succumbed to his wounds at a local medical facility. 

“The conviction marks the conclusion of a lengthy legal process aimed at delivering accountability for the victims’ families,” legal observers noted following the ATC decision. 

Immediate Apprehension of the Suspect 

Following an immediate investigation, law enforcement officers swiftly located and apprehended the primary suspect at his residence shortly after the incident took place. Furthermore, the quick response from police ensured that key evidence was secured directly at the scene. In addition, this vital evidence ultimately helped prosecutors build a definitive case over the subsequent years of legal proceedings. Thus, the long trial process has finally come to an end with the Mureed Abbas murder case verdict. 

Case Fact Sheet 

What was the final verdict in the Mureed Abbas case? 

The Anti-Terrorism Court found the main accused, Atif Zaman, guilty and sentenced him to two counts of the death penalty, alongside a Rs. 1 million fine. 

What was the underlying cause of the incident? 

The case originated from a severe financial dispute linked to business investments between the parties involved in July 2019. 

What is the legal status of the second accused individual? 

Adil Zaman, the co-accused and brother of the primary convict, remains a fugitive from justice. The court has issued permanent warrants for his arrest.

Read More: Iqra Kanwal, Areeb await court ruling on interim bail in NCCIA case  

Key Points:

• Locarno Film Festival has announced the official lineup for its 79th edition.
• The festival will take place from August 5 to August 15, 2026, in Switzerland.
• A total of 223 films, including 103 world premieres, will be screened.
• The International Competition includes new films by Hong Sangsoo, Nelson Yeo, Denis Côté and several other acclaimed directors.
• New works by Albert Serra, Olivia Wilde, James Gray and Peter Brunner are also part of the festival programme.
• Organisers received a record 7,759 submissions, representing productions from 69 countries

LAHORE – The Locarno International Film Festival has unveiled the official lineup for its 79th edition. The festival will run in Locarno, Switzerland, from August 5 to August 15, 2026.

This year’s programme features 223 films from around the world, including 103 world premieres. Established filmmakers and emerging talent will present their work across competition and non-competition sections.

International Competition features acclaimed filmmakers

The International Competition includes the latest film by South Korean director Hong Sangsoo. Singapore’s Nelson Yeo, Canada’s Denis Côté, Portugal’s Edgar Pêra and Senegal’s Mamadou Dia will also compete with new projects. Spanish filmmaker Albert Serra will screen his latest feature in the Out of Competition section.

Festival organisers said productions and co-productions from 69 countries are part of this year’s programme. The wide international representation makes this one of the festival’s most diverse editions.

Record submissions for 2026 edition

Organisers received a record 7,759 submissions, almost 22 per cent more than last year. The final selection includes 223 films, four more than the previous edition. Women directed 25 per cent of this year’s feature films. Female filmmakers also directed five of the 17 films competing in the International Competition.

Piazza Grande to host major premieres

The Piazza Grande section will once again host evening screenings in Locarno’s famous open-air square, which can accommodate around 8,000 people. The programme includes The Invite by Olivia Wilde, Paper Tiger by James Gray, Down the Arm of God by Peter Brunner and All About Corinne by Marc Fitoussi.

Artistic director highlights this year’s vision

Artistic Director Giona A. Nazzaro described the programme as an adventurous selection that explores today’s challenges while celebrating strong storytelling and cinematic innovation. The Locarno Film Festival remains one of Europe’s oldest and most respected film festivals. It continues to showcase independent and international cinema while premiering new films from leading directors.

Key points: 

• Religious Ruling: Prominent scholar Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani issued a fatwa declaring digital currency trading impermissible (haram). 

• Broad Scope: The Mufti Taqi Usmani crypto fatwa covers all digital assets, including standard cryptocurrencies, tokens, and stablecoins like USDT. 

• Legal Definition: According to the decree, digital currencies do not meet the foundational Islamic criteria to be classified as real wealth or property. 

• Market Influence: Although the ruling is a religious opinion rather than a state law, it will likely impact Muslim investors across Pakistan. 

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s leading Islamic scholar, Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani, has issued a definitive religious decree regarding digital asset trading. Published by scholars affiliated with Darul Uloom Karachi, the formal declaration clarifies that cryptocurrency operations are impermissible under Islamic jurisprudence. Therefore, practicing Muslims are advised to avoid buying, selling, or investing in these virtual markets. 

The ruling takes a strict stance on the fundamental nature of decentralized digital networks. Specifically, the decree concludes that digital assets lack physical backing, intrinsic utility, or state authorization. For this reason, they fail to meet the Islamic legal definition of true wealth (mal). Consequently, any financial transactions involving these assets are considered void from a religious perspective.

Total Ban Covers Tokens and Stablecoins 

Furthermore, the declaration stresses that changing the names or branding of digital assets does not alter their religious status. The Mufti Taqi Usmani crypto fatwa explicitly groups all virtual assets into a single financial category. This means the restriction applies uniformly across the entire Web3 ecosystem. 

“Cryptocurrency is known by different names, including virtual currency, token, and stablecoin. In all these forms, cryptocurrency is not considered wealth, and therefore it is not permissible,” the official statement clarifies. 

As a result, the scope of this fatwa extends far beyond mainstream decentralized coins like Bitcoin and Ethereum. It explicitly restricts the use of blockchain-based utility tokens and dollar-pegged stablecoins such as Tether (USDT). 

Overview of the Religious Decree 

Institutional Backing and Public Impact 

The formal document carries multiple official endorsements from respected senior scholars at Darul Uloom Karachi. While this fatwa functions strictly as a religious guidance framework rather than a government-enforced law, its societal impact remains massive. 

Because Mufti Taqi Usmani is highly respected globally in Islamic banking and finance circles, his opinions carry immense weight. Consequently, this declaration is expected to significantly shape public sentiment and curb crypto adoption rates among retail investors in Pakistan. 

What is the main message of the Mufti Taqi Usmani crypto fatwa? 

The fatwa states that cryptocurrency trading is impermissible (haram) under Islamic law because digital currencies do not qualify as real wealth or property. 

Does this ruling also apply to stablecoins like USDT? 

Yes. The decree explicitly mentions stablecoins and tokens, stating that changing the terminology or tying a coin to a fiat currency does not change its religious ruling. 

Is cryptocurrency now illegal in Pakistan because of this fatwa? 

No. A fatwa is a formal religious opinion and legal advisory for Muslims. It is not a state law enacted by the government of Pakistan, though it strongly influences public financial choices. 

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