Explosives discovery: Man sentenced to 35 years in jail

32-year-old claims he makes fireworks; produces expired permit

RAWALPINDI: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Tuesday handed down a 35-year jail term to a man arrested in Chakwal for carrying over 122 kilograms of explosive material.

Special Judge ATC-II Asif Majeed Awan convicted Muhammad Abrar Hussain for possessing a large quantity of explosive material without lawful permission.

The judge gave Hussain a 14-year jail term on terrorism charges, an additional 14 years for carrying heavy quantities of explosives, and seven more years for keeping the explosives unlawfully.

According to details, Chakwal Saddar Police Inspector Zarat Baloch arrested the accused on June 1, 2015, when Hussain was said to be bringing the explosive material from Jehlum.

The police was tipped-off regarding the explosive’s transportation to Chakwal, and seized the 112.7 kg of explosive material from Hussain’s sedan.

The police registered a case against the accused under Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, as well as under sections 4 and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act, 1908.

In his defence, 32-year-old Hussain, told the court that he was in the business of preparing fireworks, and that he had a licence to buy the explosive material.

When produced before the court, the aforementioned licence was found to be expired.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 13^th, 2016.