In Karachi, a sessions court has sentenced two street criminals, Edwin and Shahbaz, to a combined 22 years in prison for a series of offenses including robbery, attempted murder of police officers, and illegal possession of firearms.
The pair were convicted for robbing a citizen of his mobile phone and watch in the Gulshan-e-Iqbal area on January 10, 2024. After being signaled to stop by police, they opened fire, leading to their arrest. Edwin was found with an unlicensed pistol, while Shahbaz had a toy pistol.
Additional Sessions Judge Shahid Ali Memon delivered the sentences, which included seven years for robbery with intent to cause harm, two years for deterring a public servant, five years for attempted murder, and one year for obstructing a public servant. They also received seven years for violating the Sindh Arms Act. In addition to the jail time, they were fined a total of Rs110,000, with additional imprisonment as a consequence of non-payment.
The judge emphasized the alarming rise of street crime and the resulting fear among the public. He argued against leniency, stating that criminals who terrorize society and cause loss of life and property do not deserve it. He further noted the proliferation of unlicensed weapons as a root cause of crime and the need for strict punishment to deter others.
The prosecution’s case detailed how Edwin and Shahbaz robbed a person of their phone and watch near Bismillah Hotel before fleeing. They were apprehended later that day after a shootout with police, leading to the recovery of the illegal weapons and the stolen items. Four separate cases were subsequently filed against the two men at the Gulshan-e-Iqbal police station.
