Comments sought over Osama Satti case appeal

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday sought comments from the respondents over an appeal challenging the removal of terrorism provisions from the Osama Satti murder case. A division bench comprising Justice Mohsin Akhter Kiyani and Justice Fayyaz Ahmed Anjum Jandran heard the case filed by the victim’s father.

The petitioner pleaded that an anti-terrorism court had ordered to remove Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) clauses from the first information report (FIR), ignoring several facts outlined in the judicial inquiry report. He prayed the court to turn down the decision of trial court and restore the ATA clauses in the case.

The court served notices to respondents and adjourned the hearing till May 27. Osama was killed in the federal capital on January 2. An FIR was registered against five officers of the Counter-Terrorism Department who are currently on judicial remand behind bars.

ITP cracks down on public service vehicles for violating rules

Meanwhile, an anti-terrorism Court (ATC) extended the interim bail of two lawyers accused in the rampage at IHC case till May 11. ATC Judge Raja Jawad Abbas Hassan heard the pre-arrest bail petition of advocates Shaista Tabassum and Bushra Saleem.

The petitioner's lawyer requested the court to adjourn the hearing to another date, which was granted. The court would announce its reserved judgment on bail case on May 11. The two lawyers were also named in a case pertaining to vandalism of the IHC building by a group of lawyers.

Furthermore, IHC sought comments from the Municipal Corporation Islamabad (MCI) on a petition filed by the Islamabad Food Chain Bikers against alleged harassment. Chief Justice Athar Minallah, who heard the case, also suspended MCI's March 4 notification and stopped it from taking any action against the food chain.

The petitioner pleaded that the food chain was involved in food delivery through motorcycles when the MCI had stopped the food chain from advertising on bikes and on riders' uniforms. The petition added that the MCI had no authority to regulate advertising under the 1977 regulations. However, it was said that the company's name printed on uniforms and motorbikes does not meet the definition of advertising.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 27^th, 2021.