‘Case against cellular firm if terrorists use its network’

SC adjourns hearing of a case against suspension of telecom services till June

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Friday adjourned till the last week of June hearing of a case related suspension of mobile phone services in the country as it noted that a case might be registered against head of a cellular company if its network is used in a terror attack.

A two-member bench, comprising Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed and Justice Ijazul Ahsan, heard the case filed by cellular companies. During the proceedings, Justice Saeed remarked that the court does not wish that telecommunication services be suspended for petty reasons.

A telecommunication company's counsel said the cellular services in Pakistan do witness routine suspensions on the pretext of security during events like political conventions or a foreign leader's visit.

He said the suspension of cellular services ahead of big events is understandable, but adopting this measure over minor issues does not seem logical.



The additional attorney general said legal advice has already been given to the government. He sought a month's time to submit the government's reply about the developments.

Justice Saeed advised telecommunication providers to exercise patience over suspension of cellular services, adding that if some terrorist incident involving a cellphone networks takes place, a case under terrorism charges could be lodged against head of the company.

“Let the law be amended and then the court will take up the matter,” Justice Ahsan noted.  The court directed the government to submit a reply by the last week of June, detailing developments on the legislative front.

Bail of French citizen

The SC on Thursday also accepted bail of a Pakistani-born French citizen allegedly involved in kidnapping a lady doctor, Saba Ijaz, from Rawalpindi. A three-judge bench, headed by Justice Manzoor Ahmed Malik and comprising Justice Mazhar Alam Miankhel and Justice Mansoor Ali Shah heard the case.

Justice Malik remarked that it was a strange incident that a well-educated girl was kidnapped from Rawalpindi and police failed to trace her despite passage of one and half years, while the nominated accused is behind the bars for the last eleven months. “Performance of the police is unsatisfactory.”

Rawalpindi City Police Officer Ahsan Abbas said the police were doing their best to trace the lady doctor. The counsel for the accused said his client was not involved in the kidnapping and requested the court to grant him bail. The court accepted the bail plea against Rs200,000 surety bond and remarked that the accused would not be allowed to travel abroad.