Naqeebullah murder case hits snags

The Naqeebullah Murder Case has hit a snag in the final stages. The court has written letter to Punjab IGP to ensure attendance of Sargodha district police officer Dr Rizwan Ahmed who was the investigation officer of the case before his transfer.

The special anti-terrorism court has also ordered the Dr Ahmad to appear on March 5 at 8:3 0am. Dr Ahmed was the second investigation officer of the high-profile case before his transfer to Punjab as DPO Sargodha.

Naqeebullah Mehsud was allegedly killed by the then senior superintendent of police (SSP) of Malir District Rao Anwar on January 13, 2018.

The case was heard before Special Court No3 in the Anti-Terrorism Complex in Karachi Central Jail. The ATC judge was furious over the absence of IO Dr Rizwan due to which the trial could not proceed for two- and-a-half months.

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The court remarked angrily that at every hearing a letter is sent requesting to adjourn the hearing. The special court wrote a letter to the Inspector General of Police Punjab to ensure that DPO Sargodha and the IO of the case Dr Rizwan, be made to ensure presence at the next hearing.

The defence lawyers said that it is always said that the lawyers are absent but Dr Rizwan has not been appearing for two and a half months.

Defence lawyers said that the Sindh High Court has a clear direction to complete the trial in two months.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 4^th, 2022.