Sindh High Court orders provision of security to key witness

The security was withdrawn by the Sindh govt in defiance of SC orders

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) issued on Monday notices to government officials to submit replies regarding the withdrawal of security for key witness in the Naqeebullah murder case, Saifur Rehman Mehsud, who was also a member of the National Assembly. A two-member bench, headed by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, directed the Sindh chief secretary, inspector-general (IG) of police, District Malir Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and others to submit replies by December 24. The petitioner's counsel maintained that Saifur Rehman, being the main witness in the murder case, was facing security threats. The petitioner also remarked that he had spoken about the alleged involvement of former SSP Rao Anwar and other police officers in the murder. The Supreme Court (SC) had earlier ordered to provide security to the case witnesses and withdrawal of security would be considered contempt of SC orders.  The petitioner asked the court to direct the Sindh government to ensure immediate security measures for the witnesses. The court issued notices to the officials to submit their replies by next hearing.

Corps Commander attack

The SHC granted extension till November 24 to the defending lawyer in the plea against death sentences of the terrorists in the former Karachi Corps Commander attack case. A two-member bench was hearing the case where Advocate Mushtaq Ahmed sought extension due to his ill health. According to police, the terrorists had attacked the caravan of the former Karachi Corps Commander Ahsan Saleem Hayat at Clifton Bridge on June 10, 2004, in which he and six other soldiers were killed. An anti-terrorism court had awarded death sentence to eleven terrorists.



MQM leaders' plea

The SHC has ordered the counsel for suspects and case prosecutor to appear in court and submit their response to the plea against conviction of Muhajir Qaumi Movement chief Afaq Ahmed and Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) deputy convener Amir Khan at the next hearing on December 24. A two-member bench heard the case on Monday and adjourned the hearing upon the request of Amir Khan's counsel. Both the leaders have been granted bail by the court. According to police, both were allegedly involved in kidnapping and murdering an MQM worker, Farooq, in Landhi during the by-polls. They were awarded life imprisonment.



Raids at Ziauddin

The SHC advised the Rangers' counsel to provide a copy of the reply to the petitioner regarding plea against raids on Ziauddin Hospital and asked the federal government to submit their reply too. A two-member bench, headed by Justice Naimatullah Phalphoto, heard the petition filed by the hospital administration against the raids conducted in 2015. 

Published in The Express Tribune, November 13^th, 2018.