ATC orders formation of JIT for accused’s arrest

Robika Wahab is booked for abetting attack on Dr Abdul Aziz, during which two cops were killed

KARACHI: A special anti-terrorism court (ATC) ordered on Saturday the formation of a joint investigation team (JIT) for the arrest of Robika Wahab, who has fled from the country. She is accused of being involved in the murder of two police officials and an attack on Dr Abdul Aziz.

The order was issued by ATC no. 12 during a hearing of the murder case against Robika at Central Jail, Karachi.

At the hearing, police submitted a report regarding the handing over of another accused in the case, Abdul Wahab, by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Pakistan, to the court. According to the report, the head of the UAE mission was summoned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while the ambassador of Pakistan to the UAE had also approached the relevant authorities in Dubai for the handing over of Abdul. However, relevant authorities in both the countries have sought an extension for handing Abdul over to Pakistan, the report states, adding that the court will be informed when the accused is handed over.

According to the report, an extension has also been sought for the arrest of Robika, accused of abetting Abdul in the offence.

Following the submission of the report, the court ordered the constitution of a JIT for Robika's arrest, directing that the team is to be headed by an officer not having a rank lower than that of an SSP. The court also ordered East and South District DIGs to personally oversee the matter.

According to the police, a case was registered against the accused at Darakhshan Police Station in 2016 for allegedly carrying out an attack on Dr Abdul Aziz, during which two police officials were killed.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 20^th, 2020.