Baldia Town factory. PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) adjourned the hearing of Baldia Factory fire case on the request of investigation officer of the case, Inspector Jahanzeb, who was scheduled to record his statement as a witness on Saturday.
The ATC-7 was hearing the case at Central Jail Karachi. Jail officials presented accused Rehman Bhola and Zubair Charya before the court. Others accused including Rauf Siddiqi also appeared before the court.
IO Jahanzeb informed the court that he was not feeling well today (Saturday) therefore the hearing should be adjourned. Court accepted the request and adjourned the hearing till September 25.
Dr Asim case
Meanwhile, the hearing of cases pertaining to provision of medical facilities to terrorists was adjourned by an ATC on the request of Rangers prosecutor.
Dr Asim Hussain, Rauf Siddiqi, Anis Qaimkhani, Usman Muazzam and Waseem Akhter appeared before the court. Rangers prosecutor Sajid Mehboob Sheikh sought extension from the court. He maintained that he has to appear before another ATC in Baldia Factory fire case. The court accepted his request and adjourned the hearing of case till October 5. Court was scheduled to record statement of the petitioner on this hearing. The court ordered Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhter to submit his passport in the court and remarked that passport was given to him only for official visits.
Akhter submitted his passport in ATC.
Consulate attack case
Another ATC sought the progress report from the investigation officer of the case pertaining to attack on Chinese Consulate on the next hearing.
Jail officials presented accused Ahmed Hasnain, Ali Ahmed alias Hashmi and Muhammad Aslam before the court. Sajid Mehboob Sheikh appeared before the court on state's behalf. However, the court hasn't received any notification regarding the appointment of special public prosecutor.
Court inquired from Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) officer that why haven't the raids been carried out at the residential addresses of accused. Investigation officer informed the court the addresses which are available but they are situated in extremely dangerous areas. Assistance of Frontier Constabulary (FC) and other law enforcement agencies is required to raid in these areas. Court inquired that have the CNICs of accused, who are on the run, been blocked or not? Investigation officer replied that CNIC numbers of the accused are not available.
The court remarked that the CNIC numbers should be collected from NADRA through their names. The court will pass the orders when CNIC numbers are made available. Court adjourned the hearing till October 11 and sought progress report on the next hearing.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 22nd, 2019.
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