Terrorism facilitation case: ATC dismisses Rangers’ application
The paramilitary force had challenged permission given to Wasim Akhtar for flying abroad
The paramilitary force had challenged permission given to Wasim Akhtar for flying abroad. STOCK IMAGE
KARACHI:
An anti-terrorism court dismissed on Thursday an application filed by the Rangers, challenging permission granted to Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Wasim Akhtar to go abroad.
Akhtar, who is also MQM's mayoral candidate, has been nominated as co-accused in the terrorism facilitation case against former petroleum minister Dr Asim Hussain. He was recently allowed by the same court to fly out of the country.
The Rangers - a complainant in this case - reiterated their earlier apprehension that the MQM leader might not come back to the country. The paramilitary force counsel asserted that the bail to the suspect was not even confirmed by the court. There are evidences for his involvement in the case and his absence may affect the proceedings, the lawyer maintained, pleading that the ATC-II incharge judge review the previous order.
Akhtar's attorney, however, submitted that his client was going for some personal work while his family was here in the country. Akhtar will definitely come back as he wants to face the trial, added the attorney.
After listening to the arguments, the judge, Shakeel Haider, upheld his previous order and dismissed the paramilitary force's plea.
The case pertains to alleged harbouring and treatment of militants belonging to different political and religious organisations at Ziauddin Hospitals, which are run by Dr Asim. Besides Akhtar, MQM's Rauf Siddiqui, Pakistan Peoples Party's Qadir Patel, Pak Sarzameen Party's Anis Kaimkhani and socio-political group Pasban-e-Pakistan's Usman Moazzam have been nominated in the case for allegedly asking favours for the suspected militants. MQM's London-based leader Saleem Shahzad is, however, absconding in this case.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 1st, 2016.
An anti-terrorism court dismissed on Thursday an application filed by the Rangers, challenging permission granted to Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Wasim Akhtar to go abroad.
Akhtar, who is also MQM's mayoral candidate, has been nominated as co-accused in the terrorism facilitation case against former petroleum minister Dr Asim Hussain. He was recently allowed by the same court to fly out of the country.
The Rangers - a complainant in this case - reiterated their earlier apprehension that the MQM leader might not come back to the country. The paramilitary force counsel asserted that the bail to the suspect was not even confirmed by the court. There are evidences for his involvement in the case and his absence may affect the proceedings, the lawyer maintained, pleading that the ATC-II incharge judge review the previous order.
Akhtar's attorney, however, submitted that his client was going for some personal work while his family was here in the country. Akhtar will definitely come back as he wants to face the trial, added the attorney.
After listening to the arguments, the judge, Shakeel Haider, upheld his previous order and dismissed the paramilitary force's plea.
The case pertains to alleged harbouring and treatment of militants belonging to different political and religious organisations at Ziauddin Hospitals, which are run by Dr Asim. Besides Akhtar, MQM's Rauf Siddiqui, Pakistan Peoples Party's Qadir Patel, Pak Sarzameen Party's Anis Kaimkhani and socio-political group Pasban-e-Pakistan's Usman Moazzam have been nominated in the case for allegedly asking favours for the suspected militants. MQM's London-based leader Saleem Shahzad is, however, absconding in this case.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 1st, 2016.