GHQ attack: Family seeks permission to meet convict in jail

Says Adiala Jail officials have no authority to prevent the convict from meeting visitors.

RAWALPINDI:

The family of a man convicted for aiding a terrorist attack on Army’s General Headquarters (GHQ) has approached the Lahore High Court seeking permission to meet him in Adiala Jail.

Family members of Imran Siddiq, including his father, mother, brother, wife, two sisters and maternal uncle, filed a petition with LHC Rawalpindi bench on Tuesday after Adiala Jail officials had prohibited them from meeting the convict. They informed the court that the jail authorities asked them to seek permission from Punjab’s home secretary.

The petitioners lawyer stated that Sadiq, a sepoy dispenser, was shifted to the Adiala Jail after he was sentenced to life imprisonment and terminated from service for his hand in October 2009 attack on GHQ. They said that being a civil prisoner, the officials at jail have no authority to prevent the convict from meeting visitors. The added that the jail authorities should not need to be given directions or suggestions when there are rules and regulation about arranging meetings with the convicted men.

Siddiq, who served in the 44 Corps Composite Transport Battalion, was convicted under Pakistan Army Act for approaching prohibited area of GHQ, being party to a criminal conspiracy for terrorism, aiding the act of terrorism, desertion on active service and losing by neglect government equipment and clothing. In addition, a fine of Rs100,000 was imposed on him.

Seven people were convicted by the military court on August 11. Besides Siddiq, the military court sentenced another army sepoy Aqeel alias Dr Usman to death, with a fine of Rs200,000.

The court also convicted five civilians Khalique Rehman, Muhammad Usman, Wajid Ali, Muhammad Adnan and Tahir Shafiq.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 31^st, 2011.