Witnesses record statement in weapons recovery case

Naqeebullah murder case faces further delay as officials fail to produce case copies


Our Correspondent July 15, 2020
The contest is on two seats vacated after Iftikhar Alam and Sagheer Ahmed quit the party. PHOTO: PARWARSHA ARSHAD

A special ATC recorded on Tuesday the statements of witnesses in the cases pertaining to the arrests of terrorists and recovery of weapons from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) head office, Nine Zero.

MQM Rabita Committee senior deputy convener Amir Khan appeared before the court, while jail officials presented accused Raees alias Mama, Nadir Shah and others during the hearing.

The investigation officer (IO) presented Azizabad Police Station's constable as a witness before the court. The witness maintained that accused Raees alias Mama was taken in custody from the prison in his presence.

The counsels for Khan and Raees cross-examined the statement of the witness.

The court summoned more witnesses at the next hearing after the completion of the cross-examination and adjourned the hearing till August 8.

Naqeebullah murder case

Naqeebullah murder case faced further delay as a special anti-terrorism court (ATC) adjourned the hearing of the case on Tuesday due to unavailability of the case file.

The accused, former Malir SSP Rao Anwar, DSP Qamar Ahmed and others appeared before the court, where the focal person inspector Shahab informed the court that SSP Dr Rizwan Ahmed had the case file.

The court directed inspector Shahab to get the file from SSP Dr Rizwan and present it in the court. At this, inspector Shahab replied that SSP Dr Rizwan was currently in Punjab and had said that he had handed over the file to SP Abid Qaimkhani before leaving.

However, SP Qaimkhani did not attend the hearing.

The court expressed annoyance over the absence of SP Qaimkhani.

Advocate Salahuddin Panhwar requested the court to summon SP Qaimkhani to the court and also direct all witnesses to appear in the court at the next hearing.

The counsel of the primary accused, Advocate Amir Mansoob, maintained that the case was being delayed continuously and moved the court to record the statements of the witnesses present at the hearing.

At this, the court remarked that it was his responsibility to bring the case file and witnesses to the hearing.

Inspector Shahab requested the court to take the case file in judicial custody.

The court directed SP Qaimkhani to appear before the court at the next hearing and adjourned the hearing till July 21.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 15th, 2020.

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