Nine-Zero arms, ammo cases: ATC to hear final arguments on Jan 12

An anti-terrorism court set on Saturday January 12 as the date for hearing final arguments in 50 cases pertaining to the seizure of weapons and ammunition from Muttahida Qaumi Movement's headquarters, Nine-Zero, during a raid by law enforcers. ATC no 16 fixed the date during a hearing at Karachi Central Jail. Besides, the court accepted accused Faisal alias Mota's plea seeking the renewal of his national identity card (NIC) and directed the jail superintendent to take steps for his NIC's renewal. Prison officials presented the accused, including Faisal, Farhan alias Mullah and Amir alias Totla and others, before the court at the hearing. The accused were arrested during the raid at Nine-Zero.

Vandalism case

Separately, the court directed co-accused booked in three cases, pertaining to vandalism and other offences, registered against former Sindh home minister Zulfiqar Mirza to ensure attendance at the next hearing. Three of the accused, including Mirza, Ashraf Khoso and Malik Akhtar, appeared before the court at the hearing on Saturday, while the rest remained absent. The counsels for the other accused informed the ATC that their clients couldn't reach the court due to the closure of roads. At this, the court directed the absent accused to ensure attendance at the next hearing on January 26. According to the police, Mirza, along with 23 other accused, has been acquitted in one of three cases.