Lyari gang war leader Uzair Baloch, who has been accused of committing 198 murders, has denied all murder charges on Monday. Uzair Baloch, Shahjahan Baloch and other accused were presented before the court amid tight security. During the proceedings, the judge pointed out that Baloch has been accused of murdering Arshad Pappu and asked whether or not he has committed the offense. During the appearance, Uzair Baloch claimed that he had not recorded any confessional statement under Section 164(Power to record statements and confessions) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). The Lyari gang war leader further said, “The judicial magistrate must have made a mistake,” adding, “I swear to God, I didn’t kill anyone.” The court then asked Baloch if his statement will stay the same if he approaches the high court, to which he lapsed into silence and didn’t give any response. More than 16 cases, including the murder of gangster Arshad Pappu, were heard by the court. The hearing has been adjourned till the last week of July. Uzair Baloch was arrested by the Rangers on January 30, 2016. In a statement, which he now denies, confessed to committing criminal activities such as murder, extorting money, and other heinous crimes. In April 2017, his custody was handed over to the Pakistan Army after he was accused of espionage and leaking information to foreign intelligence agencies. The judge, pointing to the Lyari gang kingpin, said that he has been accused of murdering Arshad Pappu and asked whether or not he has committed the offense so the court could proceed with indicting him in the case. “I swear to God, I have committed no murder,” he replied. The judge asked the accused if he would retract the statement he has made in court today, to which he lapsed into silence and didn’t give any response.
