SHC rejects plea of convicted MQM target killer

Prosecutor argues against the removal of terrorism clauses

KARACHI: A two-member bench of the Sindh High Court (SHC), comprising Justice Naimatullah Phulpoto and Justice Irshad Ali Shah, rejected on Friday the plea filed by Muttahida Quami Movement's (MQM) target killer, Faisal alias Mota, seeking the removal of sections pertaining to terrorism from the case. Mota was arrested during a Rangers' raid on MQM Headquarters Nine-Zero and Khursheed Memorial Hall. He has been awarded the death sentence in another case.

The bench directed for the trial to be completed of the case of weapons recovery from Nine-Zero.

According to the Rangers' prosecutor, Advocate Mehmood Anwer, terrorists were given shelter at Nine-Zero. Weapons meant for North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) forces were recovered from the MQM headquarters, which were intended to be used in terrorist activities in Karachi. Besides, four witnesses have recorded their statements against wanted target killers of the MQM. The prosecutor argued that the plea filed by the convict, Faisal alias Mota, is not maintainable.

According to the defence counsel, the Rangers raided MQM headquarters and Khursheed Memorial Hall on April 11, 2015. He maintained that awan bombs and gun powder were recovered during the raid but the awan bomb cannot be used without a rocket launcher. He argued that the case does not fall under the terrorism act and the court should order for the trial of the case to be conducted in the sessions court.

According to the police, the anti-terrorism court (ATC) has rejected the plea to transfer the case to the sessions court and the ATC has awarded the death sentence to Faisal in journalist Wali Babar's murder case.

Extension granted

Meanwhile, another two-member bench comprising Justice Muhammad Iqbal Kalhoro and Justice Shamsuddin Abbasi accepted former Sindh information secretary Zulfiqar Shalwani's counsel's request for more time to present arguments while hearing the bail plea filed by Shalwani.

The court adjourned hearing till August 7.

It was argued in the plea that the accused was arrested without an arrest warrant. Shalwani has been arrested in a case of automation and has been in prison for several months, stated the plea, while praying the court to release Shalwani on bail till the trial court announces its verdict.

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