Imran Ali, the rapist and murderer executed: What happens when in Zainab Murder Case?

Dunya News

Imran Ali was hanged at Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore.

(WebDesk) - Imran Ali, convicted of raping and murdering a 7-year-old girl, in an incident that shocked the country and sparked stirs against the sexual crimes against minors earlier this year has finally been executed in the wee-hours of the Wednesday morning.

Also Read: Zainab s murderer, rapist Imran hanged in Lahore


Zainab’s Rape, Murder and Murderer Imaran Ali

Zainab was found dead in a rubbish dump on January 9 in Kasur district near Lahore, in Punjab province, several days after her disappearance.

Imran was arrested two weeks after he committed the crime that ignited nationwide protests.

Zainab Murder sparked nationwide protests. Photo: File


Also Read: Rapist, murderer of Kasur s 7-year-old Zainab sentenced to death

Zainab’s rapist and murderer Imran Ali, 24, was handed four separate death sentences for the rape and murder, which took place in Kasur, Punjab in January by the anti-terrorism court. He received further life imprisonment and was imposed a fine totalling 3.2 million rupees ($30,000) for additional charges of hiding his victim’s body. One million rupees of the fine would be given in compensation to Zainab s family.

A trial in the Zainab’s Murder Case was the first time in Pakistan’s history that was completed in four days with 13-hour-long proceedings daily.

Countless CCTV footages of the surrounding areas were monitored and eventually released where the 7-year-old girl is seeing walking with the murderer. Chilling CCTV footage following the killing purportedly showed the young girl -- Zainab Fatima Ameen -- walking hand-in-hand with an unidentified man, in what may have been her last moments, exposed the heinous attention of the culprit behind the abduction of the minor girl.

Also Read: Imran Ali pleads  not guilty  in Zainab murder case


Imran Ali’s Confession and Conviction

Later, in his confessional video, he agreed to eight attacks on children in the city, including five murders, in a spate of violence that terrorized society.

He was hanged this morning whereas his body was handed over to his family who took it away for burial

Earlier, Zainab’s father had called for Imran Ali to be executed in public which was later rejected by the Lahore High Court..

"I have bit of satisfaction that justice has been delivered but I am not fully satisfied as he was not hanged in public," Zainab’s father Ameen Ansari told media outside the prison following the execution.

Zainab Father, Ameen Ansari. Photo: File


The young girl’s murder sparked outrage across Pakistan, with violence erupting in Kasur as thousands swarmed police stations and set fire to politicians’ homes, while Pakistanis across the country took to social media demanding action.

At least 12 cases of rape and murder have been recorded in the Kasur area in the past two years. Ali confessed to eight of these, but four remain unsolved.

Also Read: Zainab murder case: Suspect Imran s confessional video surfaces

Prior to the recent flood of cases, Kasur was already infamous for sexual abuse, after authorities uncovered a huge paedophile ring in the city in 2015.


Here s a quick look at what happens when in Zainab Murder Case:

January 4
Zainab Ansari went missing while she was coming home from Madrassa.

January 9
Her body was recovered from a dumpsite some meters away from her house.

January 10
Her funeral prayer was offered in Kasur.

January 10
Protest erupted throughout Pakistan especially in Kasur Punjab. Angry protesters demanded justice and raised their voice not only on streets but also on social media sites.

January 11
According to initial briefing by police, DNA of some 500 people was checked, and DNA found on the victim matched with the previous rape and murder cases. It confirmed the fact that killer is the same person.

January 12
On the request of Zainab’s father, the head of JIT was changed.

January 20
A suspect was arrested in Kasur after his DNA sample matched with that collected from the body of the victim.

January 23
Police declared the suspect’s identity as Imran Ali - 24, a native of the region

Feburary 08
Imran Ali was produced before the Court

Feburary 12
Imran Ali was indicted in seven-year-old Zainab’s murder case

February 20
Imran Ali challenged his sentence in Lahore High Court which later was rejected.

June 12
He went on to Supreme Court of Pakistan but was turned down from SC as well.

October 06
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Mian Saqib Nisar took suo motu notice of delay in implementing sentence of convict in case pertaining to the murder of seven-year-old Zainab in Kasur.

October 10
President of Pakistan Arif Alvi has also rejected Imran Ali’s appeal and upheld the sentence given by LHC.

October 12
ATC issues death warrant for Imran Ali

October 17
Imran Ali was hanged at Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore.


By Mehreen Fatima