Scene 1: Arrival at the Court – 8:30 AM
The early morning sun cast a golden light over the Islamabad Judicial Complex. Outside the large white-walled court building, a heavy deployment of police vans, Rangers' jeeps, and armored SUVs guarded the area. The case had already caught public attention, and with media vans parked along the roadside, reporters were holding mics, ready for live updates.
Inside a black police van, Qamar, Asif, Bilal, and Najma sat handcuffed. Qamar leaned back against the cold metal wall of the van, trying to appear confident, but beads of sweat on his forehead betrayed his nerves. Najma's face was pale, her hands trembling as she clutched her dupatta tightly.
Police constable Jibran checked their handcuffs once more before stepping out.
Jibran (firmly): "Yeh koi aam case nahin hai… media ki nazrein tum sab par hain. Koi shararat ki koshish ki toh samajhna, seedha jail mein daal dunga bina wapas dekhe."
Asif smirked, trying to cover his fear.
Asif: "Tum police walay samajhte ho hamesha tumhari hi chalegi? Yeh sab drama hai… sab kuch control mein hai."
Jibran didn't answer. He slammed the van's door, signaling his team to get ready.
At the same time, outside the gate, Noman's car stopped. Sara, dressed in a plain light blue shalwar kameez with her head covered in a scarf, stepped out quietly. Her face was pale but determined. Noman walked beside her, carrying a file of documents.
Noman (softly): "Sara, ghabrana mat. Court mein sirf sach bolna. Baaki kaam law aur police ka hai."
Sara nodded silently, glancing at the media crowd ahead. Microphones and cameras pointed toward her instantly, but Rangers quickly formed a cordon, escorting her and Noman inside.
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Scene 2: The Courtroom – 9:00 AM
The wooden benches inside the courtroom were filled—lawyers, junior associates, journalists scribbling in notebooks, and curious onlookers. The accused were brought in under heavy police escort and made to sit on the left bench, hands still cuffed.
The honorable Judge Hamid Akhtar entered at 9 sharp. Everyone rose. The sound of the gavel echoed.
Judge: "Proceedings of State vs. Qamar, Asif, Bilal and Najma will now begin."
On the right, Prosecutor Advocate Saeed Hashmi, a seasoned lawyer in a dark suit, stood confidently. On the left, the defense counsel Advocate Rauf Khurshid, known for his aggressive style, adjusted his black gown and prepared his notes.
Sara and Noman were seated in the witness box area, guarded by female police officers.
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Scene 3: The Prosecution Opens
Prosecutor Saeed: "My Lord, this is not a routine criminal case. The accused are part of a dangerous human trafficking and terrorism syndicate. Evidence collected from a container at Chaman border, including RDX, C4, laser-guided weapons, and bomb jackets, links directly to this group. Furthermore, a victim—Sara—has identified the accused Qamar and Najma as her captors. We seek physical remand of all four accused for further investigation."
He placed thick files of case evidence on the judge's table. Photographs of seized explosives and rescued girls were passed forward. The courtroom murmured as the pictures circulated.
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Scene 4: Defense Counter-Argument
Advocate Rauf rose.
Rauf (loudly): "My Lord, the prosecution paints a dramatic picture, but where is the proof that my clients are connected to these alleged items? Seized goods from a border container cannot directly implicate these individuals. Furthermore, witness identification can be manipulated under police pressure. My clients are innocent citizens being framed to hide the incompetence of law enforcement."
He pointed toward Sara.
Rauf: "This so-called witness is emotionally unstable after her recent ordeal. How can her statement alone convict my clients?"
Sara's hands clenched, but Noman placed his hand on hers, calming her.
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Scene 5: Witness Moment
Judge turned toward Sara.
Judge: "Miss Sara, do you identify any of the accused as the people responsible for your kidnapping and ordeal?"
Sara stood, her voice trembling but clear.
Sara: "Yes, My Lord. That woman, Najma, trapped me. And that man, Qamar… he is the one who threatened me, locked me, and forced me to follow their orders. I cannot forget their faces."
The courtroom fell silent. Journalists scribbled frantically. Najma's eyes widened in panic while Qamar gritted his teeth.
Defense Rauf: "Objection, My Lord! This is just a statement without corroborative evidence."
Prosecutor Saeed: "The corroborative evidence will emerge once the accused are interrogated further. That is why police remand is essential."
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Scene 6: Judge's Decision
Judge leaned back, reviewing the files. After a long pause, he spoke.
Judge: "Considering the seriousness of charges, the recovery of arms and explosives, and the victim's identification, this court hereby grants seven days of physical remand of the accused to police custody for further investigation. Police are directed to ensure strict security and report back with findings at the next hearing."
The gavel struck.
Judge: "Remand approved. Next hearing date will be after seven days."
The accused were immediately escorted out. Qamar shouted as he was dragged away.
Qamar (angrily): "Ye sab jhoot hai! Hum par ilzaam lagaya ja raha hai!"
Reporters pushed forward, cameras flashing.
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Scene 7: Outside the Court – Media Frenzy
As the accused were shoved into police vans, dozens of microphones surrounded Sara and Noman. Rangers formed a protective ring, but the press shouted questions.
Reporter 1 (Geo News): "Sara sahiba, kya aap tayar hain court mein har baat saboot ke saath kehne ke liye?"
Sara (softly, but firm): "Main tayar hoon. Main sirf sach bolungi."
Reporter 2 (ARY News): "DSP Farooq aur ISI ka role bahut highlight ho raha hai. Kya aapko lagta hai State aapko insaaf dilayegi?"
Noman stepped in.
Noman: "Bilkul. Is mulk ka qanoon aur security forces inhi logon se mulk ko bachate hain. Hum un par bharosa karte hain."
Within minutes, every channel began flashing "Breaking News: Court Grants 7-Day Remand in Terror-Trafficking Case."
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Scene 8: Newsrooms that Evening
At 9 pm, prime-time news anchors debated the case.
Anchor Kamran (Dunya TV): "Yeh case ab sirf ek kidnapping case nahin raha. Yeh national security issue ban gaya hai. Weapons aur explosives ki recovery saboot hai ke yeh network bohot bara hai."
Analyst: "Aur sabse bara sawal yeh hai… kin logon ki himayat ke baghair aisa network chal sakta hai? Yeh case mulk ke andar aur bahar dono jagah headlines banayega."
Print media followed. The next morning, newspapers carried bold headlines:
DAWN (English): "Explosives, Human Trafficking Network Busted – Court Grants Remand"
Jang (Urdu): "Qamar aur Najma samait char mulzim 7 din ke liye police ke hawale – Sara ki shanakht"
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Scene 9: Sara at Home
That night, Sara sat quietly in her room. Her mind replayed the courtroom scene. Though she was exhausted, there was a strange strength in her voice.
Sara (to Noman): "Bhai… main darr rahi hoon, par main peeche nahin hatungi. In logon ko unke jurm ki saza milni chahiye."
Noman smiled and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
Noman: "Aur yeh tujhe karna hoga, Sara. Sirf teri gawahi se bohot aur larkiyan bachengi jo shayad aaj bhi kisi andheri kamray mein band hain."
Sara closed her eyes, whispering a silent prayer.
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