SHC seeks records on acquittal of MQM workers

Court urged by govt to probe anti-terrorism court's decision over recovery of explosives recovered from Nine Zero

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Tuesday sought records from the relevant court on the government's appeal against the acquittal of Muttahida Qaumi Movement workers from the Special Anti-Terrorism Court in the case of recovery of explosives from the then MQM headquarters - Nine Zero.

A two-member bench headed by Justice Naimatullah Phulpoto heard the government's appeal.

The activists include Faizan, Naeem Guddu, Sajid Japani, Noman Irfan Manu, Muhammad Asif, Zubair Burgar, Rizwan Ali, Taufeeq, Syed Mumtaz, Wajia Rehman, Faizan Osama and others.

The prosecutor stated that Rangers raided the then MQM head office and Khurshid Memorial Hall on March 11, 2016 and recovered automatic rifles, grenades and other firearms from the suspects.

The accused were arrested from Khursheed Memorial Hall and MA Hostel. The appeal filed by the government stated that ATC acquitted the accused despite having solid evidence against them. The acquittal of the accused should be annulled, the appeal said.

The court sought the records of the case from ATC. The prosecution had challenged the acquittal of 12 MQM men.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 22^nd, 2023.