Hate speech hearings adjourned

KARACHI: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) adjourned on Saturday the hearing of 27 hate speech cases against the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) founder and other party leaders after recording the statement of the investigation officer (IO).

An ATC was hearing the cases at the Karachi Central Jail, where the accused, including Dr Farooq Sattar, Kunwar Naveed Jameel, Qamar Mansoor and others, appeared before the court.

The counsel for Aamir Khan, one of the accused, applied for an exemption from appearing before the court for his client, which was accepted by the court.

The IO informed the court that the witnesses could not be presented in court due to the risk of coronavirus. The court adjourned the hearing till June 13.

Meanwhile, an ATC also adjourned the hearing of the two other cases against MQM leaders pertaining to an attack on a media house, treason and terrorism until June 13.

The court also approved the request from Khan’s counsel for an exemption from court appearances through a separate application. 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 10^th, 2020.