SHC extends Jam Abdul Karim’s bail

Key suspect in Jokhio murder to appear in next hearing

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Monday extended the bail of Jam Abdul Karim, a key suspect in the Nazim Jokhio murder case, till April 14.

The counsel of Jam Abdul Karim submitted a plea in the court for his client's exemption from appearance "How can the court exempt him from the hearing?" Justice Umar Sial questioned.

"Jam Karim has been in Islamabad to cast his vote for the prime minister's election," the counsel replied. "He will appear in court at the next hearing," the lawyer further said. The court approved the exemption plea of the accused.

"Why has the challan has not been submitted to an anti-terrorism court," the bench questioned the lawyer. "The challan was finalised and submitted to the prosecutor general's office, but they had raised objections over it," the investigation officer of the case replied.

"Where is the case file now?" the bench asked. "It is with me; I plead for one week to submit the charge-sheet," the IO said. "I will submit the challan after addressing objections raised by the office of the prosecutor general.

The bench ordered the IO to submit the challan in the court of the ATC within a week. The bench also extended the bail of Jam Abdul Karim and other accused till April 14. Nazim Jokhio's body was recovered from the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) MPA Jam Awais's farmhouse in December of 2021.

Read More: SC dismisses NAB appeals for bail revocation in Khursheed Shah case

The deceased's family alleged that Awais, MNA Jam Abdul Karim and their henchmen tortured the victim to death as he filmed their guests who were hunting the endangered houbara bustards.

Crypto currency

The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed the federal finance ministry to submit recommendations regarding the legality of crypto currency within three months.

The High Court heard a petition seeking regularization of crypto currency. A representative of the Federal Ministry of Finance presented a report on crypto currency.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the report submitted, the court remarked that you were given three months but nothing has been done so far. Even if the court gives you more time, you will not be able to do anything.

The representative of the Ministry of Finance said that they have held a meeting of all the agencies concerned twice. A sub-group meeting has also been held once. So far no agreement has been reached on legalizing crypto currency. This is a complex issue. It needs more time.

The court remarked that this is not a complicated issue. The Federal Ministry of Finance is taking time unnecessarily. The Finance Ministry requested that the hearing be adjourned till June 13.

The petitioner has approached the court to legalize the crypto currency. The court had directed the finance ministry to make recommendations on legalizing crypto currency within three months.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 12^th, 2022.