Four sentenced to death for attempt on Shaukat Aziz's life

Islamabad, May 23 (UNI) A Pakistani Anti Terrorist Court (ATC) has sentenced four to death and three to life imprisonment, involved in a suicide attack on Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz two years ago.

Mr Aziz was campaigning for a national assembly seat prior to his appointment as Prime Minister in 2004 when a suicide bomber blew himself up near his motorcade on the outskirts of Islamabad.

Judge Safdar Malik announced the judgment, amid tight security, in an open court late Monday night. He extended benefit of doubt to the eighth accused and acquitted him of the charge, The Dawn reported.

Convicts Noor Badshah, Qari Muhammad Siddique, Sulman alias Zaheer and Qari Ahmed Jan were sentenced to death. Real brothers -- Qari Abdul Basit, Abdul Munam and Muhammad Nisar were sentenced to life.

All the seven convicts were further sentenced to undergo ten years imprisonment under the Explosive Substance Act and fined Rs 5 lakh each.

The court also ordered confiscation of their properties.

UNI XC YA DB1831