LAHORE, FEB 17 (DNA) – An Anti-Terrorist Court (ATC) will announce its verdict in seven-year-old Zainab rape and murder case (Saturday).

During previous hearing on Thursday, defence and prosecution concluded their arguments in the high-profile case which was being heard by ATC Sajjad Ahmad at the Kot Lakhpat Jail, where the primary suspect, Imran Ali, is held on remand.

After conclusion of the defence and prosecution argument, ATC judge reserved the verdict which will be announced today.

The primary suspect, Imran Ali, confessed rape and murder of seven-year-old Zainab before the ATC Judge and said that he deserves no mercy.

It is the first time in Pakistan’s history that a trial murder and rape case was completed in four days and the decision will be announced today.

It is to be mentioned here that Zainab was assaulted and her body thrown in a garbage dump in the city of Kasur last month.

The guardians complained upon return from Umrah that late Zainab had gone missing at least five days ago and the police did not cooperate with the relatives, who were looking for the missing minor.

Zainab had marks of torture on nose, neck, and other parts of the body – according to the autopsy. The samples collected from her clothes and body were sent to forensic laboratory.

Two people were killed in Kasur the day after Zainab’s body was recovered when police fired at hundreds of angry protesters, who said negligence on the part of the authorities was behind the repeated killings.