ATC issues non-bailable arrest warrants against JSQM members

Orders IO to arrest and present the accused before the court on January 11

KARACHI: A special anti-terrorism court issued on Saturday the non-bailable arrest warrants for five accused, including Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM) Chairperson Sanan Qureshi, facing treason charges.

Issuing the warrants, the court ordered the investigation officer (IO) to arrest the accused and produce them before the court on January 11.

Besides Qureshi, warrants have been issued for JSQM Vice Chairperson Ilahi Bakhsh, Zulfiqar, Abdullah and Shaukat.

According to police, the accused carried out a rally, led by Qureshi, from Gulshan-e-Hadeed to Karachi Press Club on November 17, 2019, during which they shouted slogans against the state and security agencies. It is alleged that Qureshi provoked the participants of the rally to engage anti-state activities.

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So far, four persons accused in the case have been arrested, including Syed Junaid Ahmed, Syed Abdul Ghaffar, Syed Manzoor and Zameer Hussain Hajanu.

Production orders issued

Meanwhile, an ATC issued production orders for two accused, former sub-inspector Muhammad Aslam and Zubair, nominated in an abduction case, ordering the jail officials to present them before the court on January 7.

Aslam was dismissed from his post after a kidnapping case was registered against him.

According to police, the accused kidnapped Aijazul Haq from his shop on November 9, 2019 and later called his family demanding ransom in return for his release. They released Haq after receiving Rs20,000 and were later identified by Haq before a magistrate, police said.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 5^th, 2020.