Death sentence upheld for Zainab murderer

The Lahore High Court has upheld the death sentence handed out to the man convicted of the rape and murder of seven-year-old Zainab Ansari.

The child was found dead on a rubbish heap in Kasur in January, sparking outrage and protests across the country.

Imran Ali, 24, appealed against the original ruling, pleading that he should be treated with leniency after confessing to his crimes.

Mr Ali’s advocate also claimed the trial had been conducting unfairly against his client, challenging the accuracy of DNA evidence and CCTV footage.

The bench dismissed the appeal and upheld the conviction handed down by the trial court. Mr Ali can further appeal against the high court’s decision before the Supreme Court.