Sindh police detains Daniel Pearl murder accused after their acquittal by SHC

The provincial government to challenge acquittal of four accused in Supreme Court

ISLAMABAD: Hours after their acquittal by the Sindh High Court (SHC), the provincial government on Thursday decided to again arrest the four accused involved in American journalist Daniel Pearl murder.

The Sindh Home Department has issued an order regarding the arrest of four accused persons for three months.

Earlier in the day, the SHC had commuted the death sentence of the man convicted of the kidnapping and murdering killing US journalist in 2002 to seven years and acquitted three others who were serving life terms in the case – almost two decades after they were found guilty and jailed.

The order reads that DIG CIA Sindh police wrote a letter to the home department wherein it is stated that the Sindh High Court has accepted appeal of the accused involved in the Deniel Pearl murder case.

SHC overturns convictions in Daniel Pearl murder case

DIG CIA also informed that it is apprehended the release of these accused will create serious law and order situation, therefore, they should be detained for three months.

The Sindh government on the basis of request and considering the merit of the case is satisfied that there is serious apprehensions of public safety in case the accused are released that they may act against the interest of the country and public, says the order.

It also stated that the presence of four accused at any public is likely to pose grave threat to the public safety and cause breach of peace and tranquility.

In exercise of power under section 3 (1) of West Pakistan of Maintenance Public Order Ordinance 1960, the government of Pakistan has sufficient reason to believe that Ahmed Qamar Sheikh, Fahad Nasim Ahmed, Syed Salman Saqib and Sheikh Muhammad Adil to be arrested and detained for a period of three months from the date of arrest. Their custody shall be placed under the Senior Superintendant of Central Prison Karachi, states the order issued by the Home Department Sindh Additional Chief Secretary.

It is also learnt that Sindh Prosecution Department is going to move the apex court seeking suspension of the SHC judgement regarding acquittal/release of the prisoners.