ATC summons IO in Naqeebullah case

KARACHI: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) ordered on Monday the investigation officer (IO) in the Naqeebullah murder case to appear in court in a personal capacity and submit a report about the absconders.

ATC-3 was hearing the case at Karachi Central Jail. It summoned the IO, Dr Rizwan, to court in the next hearing. The bench also issued bailable arrest warrants for two witnesses, including Inspector Nasrullah, and adjourned the hearing till February 12.

Bhola’s statement read out

Another ATC ordered special public prosecutor Sajid Mehboob Shaikh to continue his argument in the next hearing of Baldia Factory fire case.

ATC-7 was hearing the case.

During the hearing, Shaikh read out the confessional statement of the accused, Rehman Bhola, before the court.

In his statement, Bhola had revealed that he had demanded Rs250 million as extortion money from the factory owners, with the consent of former Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Hammad Siddiqui along with an order to set the factory on fire if the owners refused. The statement also revealed that Zubair Charya, another key suspect, was assigned the task of setting the factory on fire and followed the orders with his accomplices, while Bhola made sure that the task was completed. The public prosecutor also read out at least 350 more pieces of evidence.

The next hearing, which will take place on February 14.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 4^th, 2020.