‘Plea against CM politically motivated’

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court in its detailed judgment on the petition of Sindh Assembly Opposition Leader Haleem Adil Sheikh against Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said the case was filed on the basis of political rivalry.

Shiekh had moved the SHC to disqualify Shah for hiding the facts about his dual nationality thereby making dishonest misdeclaration in the affidavit submitted at the time of filing his nomination papers for the general elections.

In the detailed judgment, the court ruled that the differences between Sheikh and Shah were political and that Article 62 (1)f, regarding a public representative being an honest person, did not apply to Shah's case.

It is also important to review this in the writ petition. What are the objectives of the petitioner? The court observed that Haleem Adil is a political opponent of Syed Murad Ali Shah. The detailed decision said that the background also shows that the petition was filed on personal, political rift.

In the light of court decisions, there is no justification for criminal action against Murad Ali Shah. A detailed decision was issued by a bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Yusuf Ali Saeed.

Launderer in the dock

The Sindh High Court has directed the NAB prosecutor to review the medical report of Sarfraz Merchant, a key witness in the money laundering case against the founder of MQM, and submit a reply.

A bench comprising Justice Muhammad Iqbal Kalhoro and Justice Shamsuddin Abbasi heard the bail plea of Sarfraz Merchant.

The medical board, formed on the order of the court, submitted the report in the court.

Petitioner's counsel argued that Sarfraz Merchant is unable to appear in the court because of his multiple health problems and he cannot walk.

The court adjourned the hearing till November 4.

A reference against Sarfraz Merchant, pertaining to illegal allotment of plots, is pending in the accountability court.

The accountability court has also sent a reference to the Sindh High Court on the persistent absence of Sarfraz Merchant, who has secured bail.

Absence of public prosecutor

The Sindh High Court has directed the special public prosecutor to ensure attendance at the next hearing on the appeal of the accused against the conviction in the murder of two policemen.

A bench comprising Justice KK Agha and Justice Irshad Ali Shah heard the appeal against the conviction of Obaid K2, accused of the murder of two cops in the Soldier Bazaar area.

The accused was sentenced to life imprisonment by a special anti-terrorism court.

Contempt of court

An SHC bench sought a reply from KMC and Sindh government on the contempt of court petition filed against Director HR, KMC Jamil Farooqi for retaining the post despite the court order.

A bench comprising Justice Salahuddin Pahanwar and Justice Adnan Al-Karim Memon heard the petition and sought a reply from KMC and Sindh government.

The court warned that if the court's decision was not followed, contempt of court proceedings would be instituted against all.