KARACHI: The murder case of news anchor Mureed Abbas was transferred to an anti-terrorism court (ATC) by the judicial magistrate on Tuesday.

In July, Mureed Abbas was murdered along with his friend Khizar Hayat in Karachi’s Defence neighbourhood. The main accused in the murder case Atif Zaman shot himself after allegedly murdering Mureed Abbas and Khizar Hayat.

The deceased’s wife Zara Abbas, who is also a TV anchor, claimed that her husband invested Rs5 million in Zaman’s tire business and was asking him to return his funds.

During proceedings, in the court of judicial magistrate south, the lawyer for main accused Atif Zaman objected to the inclusion of terrorism clauses in the case. The lawyer argued that the issue between Mureed Abbas and his client was of a personal nature and thus terrorism clauses were not applicable.

He added that if the case was transferred to an ATC from the sessions court they would challenge the decision.

Lawyer for the plaintiff Zara Abbas argued that the accused along with media personalities also targeted members of the business community and his actions fell under terrorism clauses.

The investigation officer in the case informed the court that Atif Zaman had committed the murderers to send a clear message to others asking for their money that they would see a similar fate.

After hearing arguments and the statement of the investigation officer, the court accepted the police’s request and transferred the case to an ATC.