In a historic verdict today, the First Additional Sessions Judge and Model Criminal Trial Court in Thatta sentenced six individuals to seven years in prison for illegally occupying agricultural land.
The court was presided over by Judge Islam-ul-Haq Arain, who found the accused guilty of forcibly occupying 12 acres of land belonging to Abdul Shakoor, son of Muhammad Umar Bhatti. In addition to the imprisonment, each accused-Jaman Bakero, Hanif Bakero, Muhammad Bakero, Fakiro, Ahmed, and Shero Bakero-was also fined 100,000 rupees.
The verdict instructed the district administration to end the illegal occupation of the land and return it to its original owner, Abdul Shakoor, within 20 days. This decision came after the plaintiff, represented by renowned lawyer Ejaz Jamani, filed a case against the accused under the Disposition Act for allegedly forcibly occupying and evicting the landowner.
This court decision is considered an important step in addressing the issue of illegal land grabbing in the area and serves as a stern warning to potential offenders.