Uzair Baloch seeks transfer to central jail

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) issued notices on Saturday to the prosecution and other parties over a plea seeking Lyari kingpin Uzair Baloch's transfer from Mitha Ram Hostel to Karachi Central Jail in a case pertaining to the killing of two Rangers officials.

Baloch, who was shifted to Mitha Ram Hostel last month, was brought to the court amid tight security. He was given permission to meet his family in the courtroom.

At the hearing, he filed a plea seeking his transfer from Mitha Ram Hostel, which has the status of a sub-jail and is run by the Rangers, to Karachi Central Jail.

Following this, the court issued notices to the public prosecutor and other parties over the plea.

Besides, Baloch filed another plea, moving the court to allow him to meet his family. He maintained that he had not met his family for a long while.

At this, the court granted him permission to meet his family inside the courtroom. Baloch was allowed to meet his wife, daughter and father-in-law for 25 minutes in the presence of police officials.

Later, the prosecution's witness sought an extension from the court to get his statement recorded.

Accepting his request, the court adjourned the hearing till the first week of August.

According to the police, Baloch had kidnapped two Rangers officials, Aijaz and Nasir, killed them and dumped their bodies in Mewa Shah Graveyard.

Baldia factory fire case

Besides, the court directed accused Zubair alias Charya's counsel to continue his final arguments at the next hearing of Baldia factory fire case.

Jail officials presented accused Rehman alias Bhola, the former town sector in-charge of Muttahida Qaumi Movement, and Zubair before ATC-7 during the hearing at Karachi Central Jail. Zubair's counsel presented final arguments before the court.

Directing him to continue the arguments at the next hearing, the court adjourned the hearing till July 18.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 12^th, 2020.