Witness changes statement in Naqeebullah murder case

Maintains he never accompanied JIT to crime scene

A prosecution witness, ASI Arsalan, changed his statement before an anti-terrorism court (ATC) hearing the Naqeebullah murder case on Thursday, maintaining that he never accompanied the joint investigation team (JIT) to the crime scene.

During the hearing of the case at ATC-3 in Karachi Central Jail's anti-terrorism complex, the witness said he was deployed at Malir Cantt police station as a duty officer when JIT members, including Dr Rizwan, visited and summoned former Malir SSP Rao Anwar, the primary accused in the case. He added that the JIT stayed at the police station for two hours.

Cross-questioning the witness, the prosecutor asked whether he had ever accompanied the JIT to the crime scene.

At this, the witness answered in negative. "The JIT team stayed and worked only at the police station [on the day]," he maintained.

When the prosecutor asked whether he was changing his statement under any duress, the witness replied, "I have recited the Kalma. I am not lying."

Following this, the court asked the counsels for the accused to cross-examine the witness but they passed up the chance.

At this, the court called the next witness but was told that he couldn't attend the hearing due to ill health. Upon further enquiry about the absence of other witnesses, the case's focal person, Shahab, informed the court that one of the witnesses had gone to his village and efforts were being made to contact him, yet no progress was made in this regard. He assured the court of producing witnesses at the next hearing.

The court further expressed annoyance over the absence of investigation officer SSP Abid Qaimkhani, stating that he ensure his attendance at the next hearing on November 11. It also summoned witnesses at the coming hearing and rebuked investigation authorities for failing to submit the report on warrant.

Anwar, DSP Qamar and other accused appeared before the court at the hearing.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 30^th, 2020.