Naqeebullah murder case: ATC summons witnesses, seeks report on accused on the run

Expresses annoyance over witnesses receiving threats, IO's absence from hearing

KARACHI: A special anti-terrorism court (ATC) summoned on Wednesday East DIG Amir Farooqi, seeking a report from him on the accused on the run, and witnesses, including Shehzad Jahangir and others, at the next hearing of the Naqeebullah murder case.

During the hearing at Central Jail, Karachi, ATC-3 was informed by petitioner's counsel Salahuddin Panhwar that the accused have been threatening witnesses.

Defence lawyer Amir Mansoob, however, contended, "The case was built in haste, due to which even the witnesses had little idea about what the actual matter was." He added that it was the police's job to arrest the accused.

Mansoob moved the court to summon at least 10 witnesses at the next hearing so that cross-examination of the statements of at least two to three witnesses could be completed. He also appealed to the court to summon DIG Farooqi to gain clarity on the matter. Adding to this argument, the advocate maintained that while the prosecution has been presenting witnesses before the court at various hearings, most witnesses "excused themselves from recording statements on pretext of falling sick."

"This proves that they [prosecution and the petitioner] are unwilling to pursue the case," he claimed.

Expressing annoyance over witnesses receiving threats and the absence of investigation officer (IO) SSP Dr Rizwan Ahmed Khan from the hearing, the court inquired why the IO didn't appear before the court despite the issuance of judicial orders, and sought the police file.

The focal person informed the court that the file was with SSP Khan, who was in Shikarpur.

"What are you doing here when the IO has the file?" the court berated the focal person. Rebuking him further, the court inquired, "Why are the accused on the run still not arrested even when it has been [almost] two years [since the incident took place]?"

The court summoned DIG Farooqi in personal capacity, directing him to submit a report on the accused on the run, at the next hearing on February 20. It summoned witnesses, including Shehzad Jahangir and others, at the next hearing as well.