ALIZ LEGAL INN

12/10/2026

2026 S C M R 1622

[Supreme Court of Pakistan]

Present: Athar Minallah, Irfan Saadat Khan and Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan, JJ

SHADIULLAH ---Petitioner

Versus

The STATE through Special Prosecutor, Balochistan and another ---Respondents

Criminal Petition No. 837 of 2023, decided on 17th September, 2025.

(On appeal against the judgment dated 27.04.2023 of the High Court of Balochistan, Turban Bench at Quetta passed in Criminal Appeal No. (T) 11 of 2021 and Murder Reference No. T-01 of 2021).

Per Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan, J; Irfan Saadat Khan, J. agreeing; Athar Minallah, J. disagreeing.

(a) Penal Code (XLV of 1860)---

----S.302(b)---Qatl-i-amd---Re-appraisal of evidence---Mitigating circumstances---Reduction in sentence---Principle---Counsel appointed on State expense---Professional fee, payment of---Accused was an official of Paramilitary Force and allegedly shot the deceased who was fleeing from the scene where a bomb blast had taken place---Trial Court convicted the accused and sentenced him to death--- High Court maintained the conviction and sentence---Validity---Judicial confession of accused was corroborated by recovery of r***e, positive report of Forensic Science Laboratory, his identification during identification parade and evidence of eye-witnesses---Prosecution witnesses had no enmity to falsely implicate accused in the case---Prosecution had proved its case against accused beyond the shadow of any doubt---There was no previous enmity between accused and deceased---Accused was an employee in the Frontier Corps and on the day of occurrence, a bomb blast took place when accused and other employees of the Frontier Corps were proceeding---Many employees of the Frontier Corps were injured due to that bomb blast and accused was told by his companions that deceased was responsible for the bomb blast---Accused stated in his judicial confession that as his companions were lying injured at the spot due to the bomb blast, therefore, on account of feeling of anger and sadness, accused lost his self-control and made fire shots at deceased---Accused had no motive or personal enmity against deceased and punishment of death awarded to him was quite harsh and sentence of imprisonment for life would meet the ends of justice---Supreme Court maintained conviction of accused under Section 302(b), P.P.C., awarded by two Courts below but sentence of death was altered to imprisonment for life---Office practice of non-payment of legal fee of a defence counsel, in case of subsequent appointment of a private counsel by the convict, was unfair and unjust---When a case was marked to a defence counsel then he had given his precious time in preparing his brief and he also bore different expenses while travelling to Supreme Court---Supreme Court directed the office that irrespective of the fact that a convict has subsequently appointed a private counsel, the office would pay full fee in accordance with the law/rules on the subject, to the defence counsel appointed by Supreme Court to represent the convicts at State expense---Appeal was allowed.

Per Athar Minallah, J. disagreeing (Minority view)

(b) Penal Code (XLV of 1860)---

----S.302(b)---Qatl-i-amd---Expression having regard to the facts and circumstances of the case ---Awarding of sentence---Court can impose one of the prescribed legal punishments and therefore, exercise of discretion has been circumscribed to the expression having regard to the facts and circumstances of the case ---Stage to consider the sentence follows the finding of guilt by a Trial Court upon conclusion of trial---If Trial Court has found the accused guilty then he/she is convicted for the offence charged---In case the Legislature has prescribed more than one punishment for the offence, then Trial Court has to decide which one of them is to be imposed.

(c) Criminal Procedure Code (V of 1898)---

----S. 367---Judgment---Sentence, imposing of---There is no hard and fast rule, rather process of sentencing is a complex and intricate judicial exercise of discretion, which has to be exercised judiciously---Discretion cannot be exercised in a mechanical manner nor can a sentence be imposed on flimsy or whimsical grounds---Trial Court is required to record its reasons, particularly when it chooses to impose punishment other than death---Such exercise entails taking into consideration multiple factors---There is an exhaustive list of such factors or circumstances and the same cannot be laid down because the matter falls within the realm of discretionary exercise of power vested in a court---Objects sought to be achieved by the Legislature by prescribing alternate punishments cannot be excluded from consideration---Factors have to be weighed carefully by Court judiciously so that determined sentence serves the purpose intended to be achieved by the Legislature.

(d) Criminal trial---

----Sentence, quantum of---Proportionality, principle of---Scope---Crucial factor in determining quantum of sentence is the principle of proportionality---Punishment should neither be unreasonably lenient nor unduly harsh keeping in view the facts and circumstances of the case---Determination should manifest that it is reasoned and measured---Deterrence, retribution, reformation, restitution of harm suffered by the victim and the community are essential goals of punishing a convict by imposing an adequate sentence---Court is required to carefully and judiciously weigh the mitigating and aggravated circumstances while handing down an adequate sentence---Judicious application of mind has to be manifestly reflected in reasoning recorded in the judgment---Aggravated factors may outweigh mitigating factors and warrant imposition of a harsher punishment.

(e) Penal Code (XLV of 1860)---

----S.302(b)---Criminal Procedure Code (V of 1898), S.164---Qatl-i-amd---Re-appraisal of evidence---Judicial confession---Extra judicial custodial killing---Accused was an official of Paramilitary Force and allegedly shot the deceased who was fleeing from the scene where a bomb blast had taken place---Trial Court convicted the accused and sentenced him to death---High Court maintained the conviction and sentence---Validity---Accused in his judicial confession recorded under Section 164, Cr.P.C had taken the stance that he was sad and angry because some of his colleagues had sustained injuries due to the explosions--- Such reason had further aggravated nature of the crime committed by accused---If such reason was accepted as a mitigating factor for extra judicial custodial killing, then it would have the effect of encouraging vigilantism by law enforcing agencies and would unjustifiably trivialize one of the most heinous crimes---Enforced disappearances, extra judicial killings, custodial torture and murders, and excessive use of force are the most intolerable crimes in a democratic society and the worst form of violation of the Constitution and the fundamental rights guaranteed there under---There were no mitigating factors to show any leniency---Harshest punishment was justified in such case as an expression of condemnation of society for the cowardly conduct of accused---It was also necessary to deter other law enforcement agencies from transgressing law and to denounce commission of heinous crimes such as extra judicial custodial killings, enforced disappearances and excessive use of force---Object of punishing accused as retribution for harm he had caused, could only be achieved by upholding sentence of death confirmed by High Court---Reasons recorded by Trial Court for handing down sentence of death were unassailable---Accused on account of his own conduct, did not deserve any leniency, compassion or mercy---His Lordship declined to interfere in conviction and sentence of death---Appeal was dismissed.

Khurram Malik and others v. The State and others PLD 2006 SC 354; Abdul Malik and others v. The State and others PLD 2006 SC 365; Rajasab Khan and others v. The State PLD 1976 SC 452; Muhammad Afzal v. Ghulam Mustafa and others PLD 2000 SC 12; Muhammad Aslam v. The State PLD 2006 SC 465; Hassan and others v. The State and others PLD 2013 SC 793; Muhammad Ilyas and another v. Muhammad Sufian and another PLD 2001 SC 465; Asad Mahmood v. Akhlaq and another 2010 SCMR 868; Brutal killing of a young man by Rangers' PLD 2011 SC 799; Shahid Zafar and others v. The State PLD 2014 SC 809 and Muhammad Mumtaz Ahmad Qadri v. The State and others PLD 2016 SC 17 ref.

Sher Afzal Khan Marwat and Aftab Alam Yasir, Advocates Supreme Court for Petitioner (at State expense with Court's permission).

Tariq Ali Baloch, Advocate Supreme Court for the Complainant (from Quetta Registry via video-link).

Baqar Shah, State Counsel for the State.

Assisted by: Ghulam Muhammad Adnan, Law Clerk.

Date of hearing: 17th September, 2025.

JUDGMENT

MALIK SHAHZAD AHMAD KHAN, J.---Shadiullah petitioner was tried by the learned Sessions Judge, Mekran at Turbat, pursuant to a case bearing FIR No. 160/2020, dated 13.08.2020, under Section 302, P.P.C., registered at Police Station Turbat. The learned Trial Court vide its judgment dated 20.01.2021, convicted and sentenced the petitioner as under.-

Under Section 302(b), P.P.C.

Death as Ta'zir and to pay Rs. l0,00,000/- as compensation to the legal heirs of the deceased under section 544-A, Cr.P.C and in default thereof to further undergo 06 years SI.

In appeal, the learned High Court vide the impugned judgment dated 27.04.2023, maintained the conviction and sentence awarded to the petitioner under section 302(b), P.P.C., however, the judgment was rectified to the extent that in default of payment of compensation amount the petitioner shall further undergo six (06) months simple imprisonment instead of six (06) years simple imprisonment.

2. Arguments heard. Record perused.

3. As per contents of the FIR, Murad Muhammad complainant (PW-1), was a technician in the government teaching hospital, Turbat. On 13.08.2020, at about 12.00 (noon), he (complainant), received a telephone call through which he was informed that his younger brother namely Muhammad Hayat (deceased), has been shot dead by the officials of Frontier Corps on the road of Balochi Bazar. On receiving the said information, he (complainant), reached at the spot, where his parents and other people of the locality was present. The father of the complainant namely Mirza (PW-2), told the complainant that at 11.50 a.m, after a bomb blast, two employees of Frontier Corps, came to the orchard of the complainant party and they dragged Muhammad Hayat (deceased), from the said orchard to the road and thereafter one employee of the Frontier Corps, who was having a beard and was wearing white clothes, made fire shots at Muhammad Hayat with his r***e, hence the FIR of this case.

4. The petitioner was not named in the FIR. He was later on statedly handed over to the police by the officials of Frontier Corps. The petitioner was sent to the judicial lockup and thereafter his identification parade was held. During the said identification parade, he was identified by Mirza (PW-2). The petitioner thereafter made a judicial confession, which was recorded by Waseem Ahmed, Judicial Magistrate/MFC Tump at Turbat (PW-6). In the said judicial confession, the petitioner admitted that on the day of occurrence, he along with other employees of Frontier Corps were proceeding from Akseer Camp in two (02) different vehicles and on the way, a bomb blast took place due to which his companions sustained injuries. He (petitioner) alighted from his vehicle and started firing with his official gun. In the meanwhile, a person who was trying to flee away from the spot, was apprehended by other Frontier Corps officials, who told the petitioner that the man, who was trying to flee away was responsible for the bomb blast. The petitioner further stated in his judicial confession that his companions were lying injured at the spot, therefore, he lost his self-control and on account of anger and sadness, he (petitioner), made firing at the person, who was trying to flee away from the spot due to which the said person died at the spot. The petitioner further stated that he had no enmity with the deceased. Waseem Ahmed, Judicial Magistrate/MFC Tump at Turbat, who recorded judicial confession of the petitioner also appeared in the witness box as (PW-6). His evidence shows that the legal formalities were observed before recording of judicial confession of the petitioner. The petitioner was warned that his judicial confession may be used against him and he (petitioner), was not bound to make the said confession. The petitioner was further told that he will not be handed over to the police after making of his judicial confession. The concerned Magistrate also got himself satisfied that the petitioner was not subjected to torture or forced to make judicial confession. Waseem Ahmed, Judicial Magistrate/MFC Tump at Turbat (PW-6), was cross-examined at length but nothing favourable to the petitioner could be brought on the record.

5. The r***e, which was used by the petitioner during the occurrence, was also handed over to the police by the officials of the Frontier Corps. As per report of Forensic Science Laboratory (Ex.P/ll-F), the empties recovered from the spot were found to be fired from the abovementioned r***e.

6. It is, therefore, evident that the judicial confession of the petitioner has been corroborated by the recovery of r***e, positive report of FSL (Ex.P/11-F), identification of the petitioner during identification parade and the evidence of eye-witnesses namely Mirza (PW-2) and Shakir Ali (PW-4). The abovementioned witnesses had no enmity to falsely implicate the petitioner in this case. We are, therefore, of the view that the prosecution has proved its case against the petitioner beyond the shadow of any doubt. However, we have noted that admittedly there was no previous enmity between the petitioner and the deceased. The petitioner was an employee in the Frontier Corps and it has been brought on the record that on the day of occurrence, a bomb blast took place when the petitioner and other employees of the Frontier Corps were proceeding from Akseer Camp. Many employees of the Frontier Corps were injured due to the said bomb blast and the petitioner was told by his companions that Muhammad Hayat (deceased), was responsible for the abovementioned bomb blast. It was so mentioned in the judicial confession of the petitioner that as the companions of the petitioner were lying injured at the spot due to the above-mentioned bomb blast, therefore, on account of feeling of anger and sadness, the petitioner lost his self-control and made fire shots at Muhammad Hayat (deceased). Keeping in view all the aforementioned facts and the fact that the petitioner had no motive or personal enmity against the deceased, we are of the view that punishment of death awarded to the petitioner is quite harsh and sentence of imprisonment for life will meet the ends of justice.

7. Consequently, by majority of 2-1 (Athar Minallah, J. dissenting), this petition is converted into an appeal and partly allowed. While maintaining the conviction of Shadiullah (petitioner), under section 302(b), P.P.C., awarded by the trial Court and upheld by the High Court, the sentence of death is altered to imprisonment for life. Benefit of section 382-B Cr.P.C, is extended in favour of the petitioner. The amount of compensation to be paid to the legal heirs of the deceased, as well as, the imprisonment to be served in default thereof, as rectified by the learned High Court are maintained and to that extent this petition is dismissed.

8. Before parting with this judgment, we have noted that this petition was filed by the petitioner through Mr. Sher Afzal Khan Marwat ASC but the said advocate did not appear before the Court on 24.02.2023, without any intimation regarding the reason of his non-appearance, despite appearance of his name in the cause list. As death sentence awarded to the petitioner was affirmed by the learned High Court, therefore, Mr. Aftab Alam Yasir ASC was appointed as counsel to assist the Court on behalf of the petitioner at the State expense. In another order of this Court dated 22.05.2025, it was again noted that the earlier counsel engaged by the petitioner had shown his inability to appear on behalf of the petitioner, therefore, Mr. Aftab Alam Yasir ASC who was already appointed was directed to assist this Court at State expense on behalf of the petitioner and on the said date the said Mr. Aftab Alam Yasir ASC was also in attendance before the Court. However, the case was adjourned as learned counsel for the complainant had requested for an adjournment. Even on the next date of hearing, learned private counsel for the petitioner did not appear before the Court and an application seeking adjournment was filed on his behalf and on the said date of hearing, Mr. Aftab Alam Yasir ASC was again present before the Court, however, the case was adjourned due to the abovementioned adjournment application. Even today, Mr. Aftab Alam Yasir ASC is again present before the Court along with learned private counsel for the petitioner.

We have been informed by the office that when a defence counsel at State expense is appointed to represent a convict before this Court and later on the services of a private counsel are hired by the convict then the legal fee of learned defence counsel appointed at the State expense is not paid to the said defence counsel. Office was, however, unable to refer any provision of law in this respect, which prohibits the payment of fee of a defence counsel appointed at State expense, in the case of hiring of the services of a private counsel by the convict himself. When confronted with the above situation, the office further submitted that there is a long standing practice of the office that when a private counsel is engaged by a convict then the fee of learned defence counsel appointed at State expense is not paid to him.

As mentioned earlier, there is no provision of law, which bars the payment of fee to the learned defence counsel appointed at State expense, in case of subsequent appointment of a private counsel by the convict. Furthermore, as mentioned earlier, learned defence counsel appointed at the State expense has appeared before the Court on several dates of hearing of this case. Even otherwise, when a defence counsel is appointed by the Court to represent a convict at the State expense then he puts a lot of labour and hard work in that case. He also gives his precious time to the case and the Court. We have also observed that the capable advocates avoid to become a defence counsel at State expense, inter-alia on the ground of abovementioned practice of the office, which practice is not supported by any provision of law/rules. We have also gone through the Supreme Court Rules, 1980 (As amended upto date) and we have the payment of legal fee to a learned defence counsel appointed at the State expense to represent the convicts in different cases. Moreover, the office practice of non-payment of the legal fee of a defence counsel, in case of subsequent appointment of a private counsel by the convict, appears to be unfair and unjust, because as noted above, when a case is marked to a defence counsel then he gives his precious time in preparing his brief and he also bears different expenses while travelling to this Court etc.

9. We, therefore, direct that irrespective of the fact that a convict has subsequently appointed a private counsel, the office shall pay full fee in accordance with the law/rules on the subject, to the learned defence counsel appointed by this Court to represent the convicts at State expense.

I have dismissed the appeal and the reasons have been recorded separately.

Sd/-

Athar Minallah, J

Order accordingly.

[Majority view]

ATHAR MINALLAH, J.---A young university student, Mohammad Hayat, was deprived of his life in the most gruesome, brutal and shocking manner while he was in the custody of armed members of a paramilitary force. It was a case of extra judicial custodial killing of an innocent citizen. The cowardly act had taken place in the administrative district of Turbat, Balochistan. We had heard the appeal and it was partly allowed by a majority of two to one. The conviction of the appellant, Shadiullah, was unanimously upheld while the sentence was modified from death to imprisonment for life by a majority of two to one vide the short order of even date. I am, therefore, recording the reasons for my dissent and upholding the sentence of death which was confirmed by the High Court vide the impugned judgment dated 27.04.2023.

2. The appellant was appointed and he was serving as a member in the Frontier Corps, Balochistan ( FC Balochistan ). On the day when the brutal occurrence had taken place, he was on duty along with fifteen other members of the force. The deceased victim was a bright university student and visiting his parents. The appellant was one of the sixteen members of FC Balochistan who were travelling in two vehicles when an improvised explosive device was detonated near one of them. It was followed by another explosion. Some of the members travelling in the vehicles had sustained injuries as a result of the explosions. The parents of the deceased victim, Mirza (PW-2) and Mst. Noor Bibi (PW-10) were collecting dates from a date plantation near the place where the explosives were detonated. The twenty-eight years old victim had brought breakfast for his parents. According to the eye-witness testimonies, two uniformed armed members of FC Balochistan entered the date plantation after the explosions and took the unarmed young victim in their custody. He was dragged by his hair to the place where the other armed members of the force were present. The young victim was not armed nor was he a threat to the members of the uniformed armed paramilitary force. The appellant forced the helpless victim to lay on the ground with his face down and then fired on his back eight times, using the automatic fi***rm arm weapon and bullets issued to him exclusively for the purpose of discharging his duties. The parents had desperately pleaded for mercy but their cries fell on deaf ears and in their presence their young son was mercilessly shot by the appellant. The other armed members of the paramilitary force did not attempt to resist nor restrain the appellant. It appears that the police officials who had arrived at the crime scene after the explosions did not inquire regarding the identity of the perpetrator of this gruesome crime. This incident had taken place around 12 p.m. on 13.08.2020 and, pursuant to the complaint filed by Murad Muhammad (PW-1), Crime Report No.160/2020 dated 13.08.2020 was registered against an unidentified person at police station, city, Turbat for the commission of the alleged offence under section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 ( P.P.C. ). The appellant was subsequently identified by the unit of FC Balochistan where he was serving. The official weapon used in the commission of the crime was handed over to the in charge of the police station by an officer of the paramilitary force with the rank of a captain. The custody of the appellant was handed over to the in charge of the police station on 13.08.2020 by Havaldar Umar Khatab of FC Balochistan and the same day he was formally arrested in this case. Though the appellant was identified but the test identification parade was also held on 18.08.2020, supervised and conducted by Waseem Ahmed, Judicial Magistrate (PW-06). The father of the deceased victim. Mirza (PW-2), had identified the appellant during the test identification parade. The appellant had recorded his confessional statement under section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 ( Cr.P.C. ) and these proceedings were also supervised by Waseem Ahmed, Judicial Magistrate (PW-6). The eight crime empties collected from the crime-scene and the official weapon taken into possession were sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory ('FSL') for forensic analysis. The latter, vide report dated 21.8.2020, had confirmed that the eight crime empties were fired from the official crime weapon which was handed over by the FC Balochistan to the in charge of the police station. The charge was framed on 05.01.2020 and the appellant retracted from his judicial confession because he did not plead guilty. During the trial, the prosecution had produced three witnesses to depose the ocular account i.e. Mirza (PW-2), Mst. Noor Bibi (PW-10) and Shakir Ali (PW-4) respectively. The medical evidence was brought on record by Dr. Noor Zaman (PW-5). The appellant did not opt to be examined under oath and, therefore, his statement under section 342 of the Cr.P.C. was recorded. The trial court, after conclusion of the proceedings had, vide the judgment dated 20.01.2021, convicted the appellant under section 302(b) of the P.P.C. and he was sentenced to death. The trial court had further ordered payment of compensation of Rs. 1,000,000/- (one million) to the legal heirs of the deceased under section 544-A of the Cr.P.C. and, in default thereof, to further suffer simple imprisonment for six years. The trial court sent a reference to the High Court for confirmation of the sentence of death in accordance with the mandate of section 374 of the Cr.P.C. The High Court, vide the impugned judgment dated 27.04.2023, maintained the conviction and the reference was answered in the affirmative, thereby confirming the sentence of death.

3. We have heard the private counsel engaged by the appellant i.e. Mr. Sher Afzal Marwat, ASC. The petition was fixed for hearing on 24.02.2025 but no one had appeared on behalf of the petitioner and, therefore, we had appointed Mr. Aftab Alam Yasir, learned ASC, at State expense to assist us on behalf of the appellant. On 12.06.2025 the matter was adjourned pursuant to the written request filed by Mr. Sher Afzal Marwat, ASC. Today, the latter as well as the counsel appointed at State expense were heard at great length. The counsel for the complainant. Mr. Tahir Ali Baloch, ASC, had appeared from the Branch Registry of this Court at Quetta and he, along with the State-counsel, had also advanced their arguments. We had also carefully perused the record with the assistance of the counsel.

4. The manner in which the crime in this case was committed by a trained member of a disciplined and uniformed paramilitary force was undoubtedly inhuman, gruesome, shocking, brutal and cowardly. It was definitely outrageous to the public conscience and thus fell within the expression 'fasad-fil-arz' defined under clause (ee) of section 299 of the P.P.C. An unarmed, helpless and innocent young university student was first taken into custody and then mercilessly killed in the presence of other armed members of the paramilitary force and the parents of the victim. The crime weapon and bullets used for this cowardly act were given to the appellant for performing official duties and not for pointing the barrel towards innocent citizens and that too while they are in custody. The FC Balochistan is led by serving officers seconded from the Pakistan Army and, therefore, the bar of responsibility on the part of its members and duty of care towards civilian citizens is much higher than any other paramilitary organization. The appellant must have been a highly trained member of the force. The crime report was registered against an unknown person. However, the FC Balochistan had not only identified the appellant as the person who had committed the crime, his custody, along with the official fi***rm weapon, was also handed over to the in charge of the police station. The identity of the perpetrator of the crime was further proved beyond reasonable doubt when the father of the deceased victim, who was an eye-witness, had identified the appellant during the test identification parade conducted by a judicial magistrate in accordance with the law. The identification of the appellant as the person who had committed the murder of the victim was established beyond reasonable doubt. He had reordered his confessional statement under section 164 of the Cr.P.C before a judicial magistrate who had entered the witness box as (PW-6). The proceedings supervised and conducted by the judicial magistrate were reliable and trustworthy because they were held in accordance with the principles and law enunciated by this Court. The necessary safeguards and precautions had been properly observed. The judicial confession, having been made by the appellant voluntarily and out of his free will, is also not in doubt. Moreover, it was corroborated by confidence inspiring independent evidence which was brought on record by the prosecution. The eye-witness account deposed by three credible witnesses was consistent, trust worthy and confidence inspiring. It was supported by the medical evidence brought on record. The eight crime empties collected from the crime scene and sent to the FSL had matched the official crime weapon issued to the appellant. In his confessional statement, the appellant had explicitly acknowledged that the victim was shot while he was in the custody of the armed members of the paramilitary force. The reason offered for his violent and cowardly action was that he felt 'sad and angry' after some of the members of the paramilitary force had sustained injuries due to the explosions. This confessional statement was later retracted because the appellant did not plead guilty to the charge framed against him by the trial court. He had also denied his guilt while recording his statement under section 342 of the Cr.P.C. The confessional statement recorded under section 164, though retracted, was corroborated by independent trustworthy and reliable evidence. The guilt of the appellant was proved by the prosecution beyond a reasonable doubt and, therefore, the findings that had led to his conviction handed down by the trial court and upheld by the High Court were unexceptionable and, therefore, do not require interference. However, it was argued before us that the appellant had confessed his guilt and had explained that he was provoked by the injuries sustained by his colleagues due to the two explosions. He took the plea that he had suspected the victim to have been involved in the terrorist attack on the official vehicles. The learned counsel have argued that the plea taken by the appellant in his confessional statement, recorded under section 164 of Cr.P.C, was a sufficient mitigating factor to show leniency and thus modify the sentence of death to imprisonment for life. As noted above, the appellant had retracted his confession and it clearly established that he had no remorse for his brutal action. The trial court has recorded reasons in its judgment for handing down the sentence of death. In the opinion of the trial court as well as the High Court the aggravated factors in this case warranted severe punishment. Moreover, the appellant had taken a special plea that his mind and senses were impaired because he was provoked by the injuries suffered by his colleagues. The questions for our consideration are; whether the discretion exercised by the trial court in handing down the sentence of death and, subsequently, its confirmation by the High Court was lawful and in accordance with law and whether the special plea taken by the appellant in his retracted judicial confession could be treated as a mitigating factor for awarding the lesser punishment of imprisonment for life. In order to answer these questions, it would be beneficial to make some preliminary determinations. The position and role of the appellant and the FC Balochistan and their relationship with the victim and the society are crucial factors for the determination of the quantum of sentence.

5. The FC Balochistan has been established under section 3 of the Frontier Corps Ordinance, 1959 ( Ordinance of 1959 ). Section 2(a) defines 'active service' as meaning service against external aggressor or enemy or against hostile tribes, raiders or other hostile persons or persons cooperating with or assisting such aggressor, enemy tribes, raiders or hostile persons . The expression custody has been defined as meaning the arrest or confinement of a person according to the usages of service' while Frontier Corps as meaning 'the corp or unit referred to in section 3 or any of the individual forces comprising it, as the context may require'. The expression 'member of the Frontier Corp' is defined in section 2(g) as meaning 'a person other than a person appointed under section 5 of the Ordinance of 1959 by the Federal Government'. Section 2(a) provides that the expressions 'assault, criminal force, fraudulently, murder, reason to believe and voluntarily causing hurt' have the meaning respectively assigned to them in the Pakistan Penal Code, 1860, Section 3 provides that there shall continue to be maintained by the Federal Government the Frontier Corps Force or units as listed in the First Schedule, primarily for the better protection and administration of the external frontiers of Pakistan within the limits of adjoining tribal areas of Pakistan. The Federal Government is empowered to make any addition or omission to or from the list in the First Schedule through a notification published in the official gazette. Section 5 empowers the Federal Government to appoint superior officers such as Inspector General, Deputy Inspector General and the Commandants or other officers. Section 6 empowers the Inspector General or the Commandants to appoint all subordinate officers and other members of the Frontier Corps in such manner and subject to such conditions as may be prescribed. The superintendence, command, control and administration of the Frontier Corps exclusively vest in the Federal Government as contemplated under section 7. Section 8 defines heinous offences while section 9 the less heinous offences. Section 15 exclusively provides that it shall be the duty of every member of the Frontier Corps to promptly obey and to execute all orders and warrants lawfully issued by a competent authority and to detect and bring offenders to justice or to apprehend all persons whom he is legally authorized to apprehend and for whose apprehension sufficient grounds exist.

6. A cumulative reading of the provisions of the Ordinance of 1959 shows that the Frontier Corps, Balochistan has been established primarily for the better protection and administration of the external frontiers of Pakistan. The purpose of its existence is to protect the citizens against external aggressions, enemies, hostile entities and persons or those who cooperate with them. The superintendence, command and control exclusively vest in the Federal Government, which is also empowered to appoint the superior officers such as the Inspector General etc. The senior officers are seconded serving officers of the Pakistan Army. The FC Balochistan, therefore, is a paramilitary law enforcement disciplined force and its exclusive duty and obligation is to protect the citizens from the mischief of external aggressors and enemies. It has the onerous task to protect Pakistan, particularly the people of Balochistan, from external aggression and hostilities by the enemy or other people. It has been established solely to serve the people and protect them from harm. The officers and members are provided weapons and am******on for the exclusive use to protect the people and to serve them in their best interest. As a uniformed disciplined force, each officer and member of the FC Balochistan is presumed to be highly trained and that each would demonstrably display high standards of professionalism and exemplary conduct at all times while dealing with the civilian population for whose benefit they have been entrusted with onerous duties and obligations. The officers and members owe a duty of care to each citizen because they enjoy a position of authority and trust. They, therefore, owe a fiduciary duty and obligation to the people for whose benefit the paramilitary force has been established. It is their duty to act in the best interest of the people and in utmost good faith. This duty is the foundational principle that underlies the relationship between a citizen and each officer and member of the FC Balochistan. They enjoy a relationship of trust and, while dealing with a citizen, the officers and members are required to exercise high standards of care and judgment. The breach of this duty has profound consequences for the people, society and the FC Balochistan itself. The nature of their relationship with the citizens and the onerous duty owed to them definitely attracts the highest standard of accountability when it is breached. The appellant, as a member of FC Balochistan, therefore, was presumed to have been adequately trained and could only have acted in the best interest of the deceased victim. The official automatic fi***rm weapon given to him was meant for its exclusively use to protect the people, including the victim, against external aggressors and enemies.

7. The learned counsel for the appellant has argued at length regarding the jurisdiction of the Sessions Court to try the appellant for an offence committed under section 302(b) of the P.P.C. His argument that the appellant could only have been tried by a military court under the Pakistan Army Act 1952 ('Army Act') is misconceived. The appellant was governed under the Ordinance of 1959. He was identified by the FC Balochistan as the person who had committed the offence and, pursuant thereto, his custody was also handed over to the in charge of the police station. The Army Act was neither attracted in this case nor was the court which had handed down the conviction and sentence of death bereft of jurisdiction. The appellant was a member of FC Balochistan and he was governed under the Ordinance of 1959 and not the Army Act. He had allegedly taken the life of an innocent young student while he was in custody. The manner of commission of the crime was brutal, shocking and outrageous to the public conscience. The Session Judge, Mekran at Turbat was competent and vested with jurisdiction to try the appellant in this case for the commission of the offence. The unprovoked and cowardly act of the appellant and the manner in which he had committed the offence caused grave harm to the victim, his loved ones, the society as a whole and the FC Balochistan. The transparency, fairness and impartiality of the trial was of utmost importance and it could only have been ensured through open proceedings before the Sessions Court. The FC Balochistan had rightly handed over the custody of the appellant so that he could be tried by a competent court in accordance with the law. It is not in the public interest nor the security of Pakistan to refer trials to military courts in which the rights of civilian citizens and interests of the society are involved. The scheme of the Constitution unambiguously contemplates shielding of the armed forces from being exposed to any controversy involving the civilians. The Constitution has expressly restricted the role and functions of the armed forces under Article 245 of the Constitution to defend Pakistan against external aggression or threat of war and, subject to law, to act in aid of civil power when called upon to do so. The trust of the people in the paramilitary forces, particularly when they are commanded by serving officers of the armed forces, is crucial for the discharge of the duties entrusted to them under the law and the Constitution. In this case, a young university student was a victim of extra judicial custodial killing by a member of a paramilitary force commanded by serving officers of the Pakistan Army. As already noted, the appellant and FC Balochistan are governed under a special statute, the Ordinance of 1959 and, thus, the court of Sessions Judge was competently vested with jurisdiction for conducting the trial of the appellant. In the facts and circumstances of this case, trial before a military court would have been against the public interest, illegal and unconstitutional.

8. It is obvious from the above discussion that the appellant was holding a position of authority and trust. He owed a duty of care towards the deceased victim and his brutal, shocking and cowardly act and the manner in which the offence was committed had profound consequences not only for the victim and his loved ones but also for the society. It definitely had consequences for maintaining the trust of the people in the FC Balochistan. The appellant was charged with the commission of the offence under section 302(b) of the P.P.C. which prescribes two alternate punishments; death or imprisonment for life. The learned counsel for the appellant have argued that the plea taken by the latter while recording his judicial confession did not justify the imposition of the harsher sentence of death. The question which is required to be answered is how the discretion to choose one of the prescribed punishments ought to be exercised by a trial court. There is no definite choosing one of the prescribed legal punishments. The legislature has left it to the discretion of a court to choose one of these prescribed punishments. The fundamental statutory guideline has been set out by the legislature in section 302(b) by the expression having regard to the facts and circumstances of the case". The court can impose one of the prescribed legal punishments and, therefore, the exercise of discretion has been circumscribed to the expression 'having regard to the facts and circumstances of the case'. It is noted that the stage to consider the sentence follows the finding of guilt by a trial court upon conclusion of trial. If the trial court has found the accused guilty then he/she is convicted for the offence charged. In case the legislature has prescribed more than one punishment for the offence, then the trial court has to decide which one of them is to be imposed. This process requires application of mind and taking into consideration multiple factors. It is noted that the trial court has no jurisdiction to hand down a sentence other than death for commission of the offence under 302(a) because that is the only prescribed punishment. However, in the case of section 302(b) two legal punishments have been prescribed. In some jurisdictions statutory guidelines have been prescribed for each offence and forums have also been established to set out sentencing guidelines. The process of sentencing and its determination is distinct and it is as important as handing down a conviction. It requires proper application of mind, having regard to the facts and circumstances of the case. Many factors have to be taken into consideration. In the absence of statutory prescribed guidelines, the superior courts, particularly this Court, has enunciated principles. In the recent past, two provincial legislatures i.e. the Punjab and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assemblies have enacted legislation setting out statutory sentencing guidelines, The Punjab Sentencing Act, 2019 and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sentencing Act, 2021 respectively. It would be beneficial to examine the precedent law enunciated regarding the principles and guidelines in the context of exercising discretion while handing down one of the prescribed legal sentences under section 302(b) of the P.P.C.

9. In Khurram Malik's case1, the nature of the crime and the manner in which it was committed was held to be brutal and desperate. The convict had, after the commission of the crime, displayed inhuman conduct by dismembering the dead body into several pieces and throwing them at different places. This Court had observed that justice was not for one but it is for all and while examining the facts and circumstances of a case the court also owed a duty to the legal heirs/relatives of the convict and the society to ensure that justice is seen to be done to all the stakeholders. It was emphasized that the sentence must serve as deterrence for likeminded persons. A larger Bench of this Court in Abdul Malik's case2 has held that the question of sentence is primarily a matter of judicial discretion which is to be exercised in the first instance by the trial court. The court of appeal was empowered to enhance the sentence if the same is found to be inadequate or not in accordance with the judicial principles laid down by superior courts in this regard. The principle earlier enunciated in the case of Zarin3 was reiterated and it was held that the sentence would essentially depend on the circumstances of a particular case and that it would be undesirable to lay down a principle of general application. It was further held that cases entailing capital charge are to be decided with utmost care. It was emphasized that when the law vests discretion in courts to award a sentence of death or imprisonment for life, it casts a heavy duty on them to balance various considerations which underlie these sentencing provisions. The circumstances surrounding the offence, the question of mens rea, the principle of proportionality of sentence, the gravity of the offence charged, the consideration of prevention or of deterrence and of rehabilitation were some of the factors highlighted by this Court which ought to be kept in consideration while handing down a sentence. In Muhammad Sharif's case4, it was observed that inhibition or hesitance to award the punishment of death by a trial court was not a proper exercise of discretion. It was explained that though courts must have regard to the sanctity of human life and liberty but the law had taken care of this aspect by setting out the essential precautions and safeguards to ensure that an accused is not deprived of life and liberty except when it becomes necessary and justified in the facts and circumstances of the case. The principles enunciated under the law of evidence, placing the onus on the prosecution, conceding to the accused the liberty of a privileged lawyer, and above all the golden rule of extending the benefit of doubt in favour of the accused are safeguards aimed at protecting human life against false implication and underserved punishment. The failures of the legal system can be remedied by the executive by undoing the mischief by exercising executive powers. The primary object of punishment is to prevent repetition of violent crimes by means of awarding punishments that would create deterrence. It was, therefore, observed that the tendency of the trial courts to avoid awarding the death penalty or unjustified commutation of the sentence by the High Courts and frequent and liberal remissions of sentences, both earned and conferred, are factors which erode the impact of deterrence and thus indirectly contributes to encouraging the commission of heinous crimes. In Bakhshish Elahi's case5, it was observed that the legislature has conferred wide discretion on the courts in the matter of imposing a sentence and that the courts must not avoid imposing severe sentences by exercising discretion judiciously and taking into consideration the increase of crime in the society and the deteriorating law and order. The Court was, therefore, emphasizing the factor of deterrence. In Jetharam's case6, this Court had enhanced the sentence of the convict from imprisonment for life to death because the latter had taken the life of an unarmed and helpless woman who was in the sanctuary of her own house. In Muhammad Sharif's case7, it was held that a court was required to do justice keeping in view each and every aspect strictly in accordance with law and that the alternatives could not be molded to favour the guilty. It was observed that no mercy could be shown to those convicts against whom it is proved that they had acted mercilessly. In the case of Noor Muhammad8, this Court had declined to interfere with the sentence of death because in the facts and circumstances of that case aggravated factors justified handing down the most severe sentence. In that case two innocent girls were murdered in the most brutal and gruesome manner. This Court had observed that people were losing faith in the courts for the reason that either convicts are acquitted on technical grounds or a lenient view is taken while awarding one of the prescribed sentences. It was further observed that the courts owe a duty to the legal heirs and loved ones of the victim and also to the society and, therefore, while awarding a sentence the factor of deterrence must be taken into consideration. In the case of Muhammad Afzal9, it was observed that even in cases where motive is not established but the offence is of a heinous nature then the accused may not be entitled to any leniency while awarding the punishment. It was emphasized that the question would depend upon the circumstances of each case. The principles enunciated in the above cases were affirmed in Ms. Najiba's case10 and it was held that once the prosecution had proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt then it becomes a duty of the court to impose deterrent punishment so as to make evil doers an example. The sentence should be such that would serve as a warning to likeminded people. It was further held that when an appropriate sentence is not imposed, keeping in view the facts and circumstances of the case, then it may amount to a gross miscarriage of justice. It was noted by this Court with great concern that when people fail to get justice from the courts of law then they resort to taking the law in their own hands to settle their matters on their own. It was emphasized that the courts must hold the scale of justice in favour of all the parties while adjudicating between them. In cases where the court forms an opinion t