ATC permits former senator to travel abroad for treatment

Court orders Ali to answer 13 questionnaires prepared by FIA at the next hearing


Our Correspondent May 21, 2019
PHOTO: FILE

KARACHI: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) granted permission on Monday to former senator Ahmed Ali for travelling abroad for 45 days for treatment. He is accused in the case pertaining to money laundering in the Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation (KKF). The court further ordered him to deposit Rs2,000,000 as surety.

The representatives of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Ali appeared before the court. The counsel for the accused maintained that Ali, who is indisposed, wants to travel to the United Stated of America for treatment. He argued that his client has no connection with the money laundering. "He has already declared all his assets. The FIA could not to date provide with evidence," he added.

The FIA has prepared 13 questionnaires pertaining to money-laundering for which answers are being sought from the former senator. The court ordered Ali to answer them at the next hearing.

The court issued arrest warrants for Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) founder, former senator Babar Ghauri and others, who are absconders in the case, and adjourned the hearing till July 19.

The FIA launched an investigation against the MQM leaders in 2017 for their involvement in laundering 500,000 pounds through the KKF.

ATC restrains FIA from arresting former senator

Bail granted

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) approved the bail on Monday for head of Muttahida Qaumi Movement - Pakistan Restoration Committee, Dr Farooq Sattar, in the hate speech case.

Sattar appeared before the court. The accused's counsel, Latif Pasha, maintained that his client, as a public representative, had been part of the demonstration held against the evacuation of the residents of the Pakistan Quarters.

"Sattar is a respectable citizen of the country," he said, adding that the police nominated him in the FIR based on ill intentions. The court adjourned the hearing till June 19.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 21st, 2019.

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