The decision announced by judge Dos Muhammad Mandokhail was vehemently criticised by people on social media, who called it a travesty of justice. They said the ex-lawmaker was acquitted for lack of evidence even though he had 'admitted to driving the vehicle when the accident took place and also expressed his desire to settle the issue with the victim’s family as per tribal traditions'.
Police had arrested Achakzai, who had also headed the provincial Public Accounts Committee, days after a vehicle ran over a traffic warden Haji Attaullah at GPO Chowk, Quetta. The warden had succumbed to his wounds at a hospital. The vehicle had belonged to Achakzai.
The entire episode was caught on a CCTV camera that went viral of social and mainstream media. Subsequently, Achakzai was booked for manslaughter even though the initial report of the accident had nominated unidentified people. However, he was granted bail by an anti-terrorism court (ATC) six months later and had been out of jail since then.
The case of the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) leader was later moved to a model court after a judge decided to drop anti-terrorism charges from the case.
Reactions to the verdict:
The acquittal of the former lawmaker was criticised by the activists and civil society members on social media. They said such decisions raise questions on the transparency of our judicial system and prosecution.
Our Criminal justice system is nt only irrelevant but also oppressive for the poor.Majeed Achakzai ws acquitted 4 lack of evidence today. Despite:Video footage of his jeep crushing a traffic warden, confessing of being driver, Saying he wanted to settle 'per tribal traditions.' pic.twitter.com/cycI7ZkEiy
— Abuzar Salman Khan Niazi (@SalmanKNiazi1) September 4, 2020
Look at arrogance of #MajeedAchakzai , he knew that this judicial system cant prove him guilty ...
Plz raise ur voice against this cruelty before it gets too late ?
pic.twitter.com/7ukelRc8cG https://t.co/5G0Jv9ZCJu
— یَاسِفْ Yasif (@IamYasif) September 5, 2020
As a law abiding Pakistani citizen, i am deeply disappointed and hurt by the decision of the Honorable Judiciary in Balochistan in #MajeedAchakzai case. They have yet again proven to the nation that the law of the land is "blind", even to irrefutable evidence.
#majeedachakzai pic.twitter.com/q6DS4NYJJD
— ڈَاکٹـَــر جَہــانــزِیــبّ (@Nayab_tweets) September 5, 2020
Who will bring reforms in Pakistan judiciary?
PM @ImranKhanPTI ? Mr PM you better take a notice of this case. #MajeedAchakzai https://t.co/xDZyGch13L
— Dr Fouzia Sadiq (@DrFouziaSadiq) September 5, 2020
No evidence. Rather acquitted on the grounds of being powerful and influential.
Otherwise what lack of proof. In CCTV footage, car hits policeman And #MajeedAchakzai in the car.
What greater proof is there?
I say. Pakistan's courts and judges are slaves of the rich .#shameless pic.twitter.com/DZXNZgykwk
— Hammadkhosa (@4Khosa) September 4, 2020
supreme court should take suo moto notice this is unbelievable evidence in this cctv footage where is law? shameful! #MajeedAchakzai
— noman ali (@nomanali099) September 5, 2020
#MajeedAchakzai and the #TrafficWarden
Here is the Report 8 days after the incident.
There was argument before he was runover but the perpetration has been given #BenefitOfDoubt
‘Preferential treatment’ for MPA accused of killing cop | The Express Tribune https://t.co/KCpBApSGD2
— Mohammad Ali Talpur (@mmatalpur) September 4, 2020