SHC extends bail of Qaim Ali Shah

Same bench seeks replies on a plea against granting bail to accused in Naqeebullah murder case

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) ordered the investigation officer (IO) of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to ensure his presence in court on next hearing of the case relating to a fraud in the land given by the Malir Development Authority to build economical houses.

A two-member bench comprising Chief Justice Ahmed Ali Sheikh and Justice Umar Sial was hearing bail pleas filed by former chief minister Qaim Ali Shah and others in the case. While Qaim Ali Shah appeared in the court, the court expressed its displeasure over the absence of NAB's investigation officer.Chief Justice Ahmed Ali Sheikh inquired after the whereabouts of the investigation officer. The court addressed the NAB prosecutor that the court has already told you to ensure the presence of an investigation officer in the court. Can you tell us about the details of the case?

Prosecutor NAB argued that he had just received the related documents, therefore the details could only be given by the investigation officer. Court adjourned the hearing due to the absence of NAB's investigation officer and ordered to ensure his presence on next hearing. The court extended the interim bails of former CM Qaim Ali Shah and other accused till March 21.

Naqeebullah case

Another bench of the SHC instructed on Friday the parties to submit replies on pleas filed for the cancellation of bails of former SSP Rao Anwar and others in Naqeebullah Mehsud murder case.



Investigation officer, SSP Dr Rizwan, submitted the reply before the two-member bench comprising Justice Aftab Gorar and Justice Amjad Ali Sahito which was hearing the case. SSP Rizwan said that efforts were being made for the arrest of the accused who are on the run. Court directed the parties to submit the replies and adjourned the hearing till February 28.

Sentence set aside

A two-member bench of the SHC accepted on Friday the appeal against the death sentence awarded to the accused involved in a dual murder case.

The bench comprising Justice Naimatullah Phulpoto and Justice KK Agha announced the verdict on the appeal against the death sentence awarded by the trial court. The bench set aside the death sentence in view of a compromise between the parties to the case.

According to police, Ghulam Hussain shot his niece dead in the name of honour. Hussain also killed Abdul Rauf who was trying to save the girl. The incident occurred on July 15, 2011 at a wedding function in the jurisdiction of Jhimpeer Police Station. The petitioner and families of the deceased pardoned the murderer therefore the court annulled the death sentence awarded to him.