Sindh High Court sets aside life term of alleged RAW agent

The Sindh High Court has partially accepted an appeal by Muhammad Saleem, an alleged agent of India's intelligence agency RAW, against the sentences handed down by an Anti-Terrorism Court. Express News and Daily Jang reported the decision.

The court annulled the life sentence on charges of conspiracy against the state and armed aggression. It also set aside the sentence under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

The life sentence related to possession of explosive material was reduced to 10 years in prison. The court upheld the 10-year prison term and the fine for illegal possession of weapons.

In its reasoning, the court said no credible evidence had been presented for the charges of a RAW link and conspiracy. It said the accused's travel history to India does not by itself prove a link with RAW or a conspiracy against the state.

The court also said the prosecution failed to present evidence of contact with alleged accomplices, of a conspiracy, or of preparation for war against the state.

On terrorism, the court ruled that the recovery of explosives and weapons does not by itself prove the offence. It said intent and a purpose to spread terror must be proven.

According to the prosecutor, the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) acted in the Manora area on 7 October 2024 on a tip-off about a RAW agent. A pistol, explosive material, an awan bomb, a rocket launcher and two passports were recovered from the accused, the prosecutor said.

The prosecutor also alleged that Muhammad Saleem obtained Pakistani citizenship through illegal means. The Anti-Terrorism Court had earlier sentenced him to life imprisonment three times and to a total of 34 years for other charges. His defence lawyer argued that all the charges were baseless and unproven.