ATC rejects bail plea in murder case

The accused had allegedly attacked a PSP town office in 2018, killing two party workers

KARACHI: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Thursday rejected the bail plea of four accused of the murder of two Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) workers.

The ATC was hearing the case at Karachi Central Jail, where the bail plea of Zameeruddin alias Shehzad Gold, Tanzeem, Waqas and Bisma Naz was rejected.

The court had issued arrest warrants for six accused in the case, including the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) founder. Absconding suspects include Asif Hasnain alias Pasha of MQM-London and six others.

Meanwhile, 10 suspects have already been arrested, including Raza Ali alias Soldier, Qazi Anis alias Captain, Ghufran, Zameer, Tanzeem, Waqas, Shehyar alias Sherry, Mohsin Ahmed alias Shah Ji and Bisma Naz.

The suspects had allegedly attacked a PSP town office on December 23, 2018, within the jurisdiction of Rizvia police station. PSP town general secretary Naeem and union council in-charge Azhar alias Siyan were killed in the attack, while two others were injured.

The suspects had reportedly confessed to the crime during interrogation.

Reserved judgment

Meanwhile, the Sindh High Court reserved its judgment on the appeal against MQM leader Amir Khan's conviction in a murder case of two workers of a rival MQM faction.

A two-member bench, comprising Justice KK Agha and Justice Mohammad Saleem Jessar, was hearing the appeal. Khan, who was present in court, was released on bail.

An ATC had previously sentenced Khan to 10 years of imprisonment. Tariq, the other accused, was sentenced to life imprisonment and has already been in jail for 17 years.

MQM activists Anum Aziz and Naeem were killed in 2003 during by-elections in the constituency of MQM-Pakistan leader Dr Farooq Sattar. Khan had been the MQM-Haqiqi general secretary at the time.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 3^rd, 2020.