Another accused in May 12 cases to be indicted

KARACHI: A special anti-terrorism court gave copies of the case to another accused nominated in four cases pertaining to the May 12 incident. An amended charge sheet will be issued against the accused at the next hearing.

Mayor Karachi Wasim Akhtar and 20 other accused in the case appeared before the court. Jail officials produced accused Abdul Zahid who had been on the run prior to his arrest. Court provided Zahid copies of the cases and adjourned hearing till January 19.

Akhtar and other accused have already been indicted in four cases pertaining to May 12. Court had declared 14 accused in the cases as absconders. Cases against the accused were registered at the Airport police station.



In an informal conversation with the media after the hearing, Akhtar said that he could not serve the citizens of Karachi effectively because of the lack of cooperation from the Sindh government. He would be better able to serve the citizens if resources were made available on time and developmental packages were provided by the federal government, said the mayor. He said that he concurred that Karachi had not been given its due but lamented that his hands were tied and authority limited.

Referring to letters he had written to the prime minister against the removal of residents from government quarters, Akhtar said that it was done on orders by the apex court and that the federal government should address the matter itself. Those people have lived there for over 45 years and they should be allowed to continue living there as it was their right, he said, adding that they were provided the residence by the government and have neither been using the place commercially nor have there been any encroachments.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 13^th, 2019.