ATC acquits MQM-P leader Amir Khan for lack of evidence

Judge rules prosecution failed to prove charges of harbouring terrorists at Nine Zero

KARACHI:

The special anti-terrorism court has acquitted Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) senior deputy convener Amir Khan, Minhaj Qazi and Raees Mama in a case related to facilitating terrorists at MQM's Nine Zero.

The Special Court No. 7 in Anti-Terrorism Complex in Karachi Central Jail has issued judgment of the case against MQM leaders. The court said the prosecution failed to present incriminating evidence in the case.

Two accused in the case, Imran Ijaz Niazi and Naeem, have been declared fugitives. The court issued arrest warrants for both the accused.

A case was registered against the accused at Azizabad police station in March 2015.

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In the subsequent trial, the prosecution argued before the court that the three MQM-P leaders, along with five others had allegedly sheltered terrorists at the party's headquarters.

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in November, 2017, had indicted Minhaj Qazi and Amir Khan for harbouring terrorists at the party's headquarters, Nine Zero.

However, the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove beyond doubt that the accused were involved in the criminal act.

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