ATC grants remand in Bar Council attack case

Defence lawyers demand Rs5m refund paid for unfulfilled legal services

RAWALPINDI:

A special Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Friday remanded Hassan Nawaz Khokhar into custody for five days in connection with the case involving an attack, vandalism, and gunfire at the office of former Vice Chairman of the Pakistan Bar Council, Hassan Reza Pasha, and his son, Wajih Hassan Pasha.

Judge Amjad Ali Shah instructed that the investigation be completed and that the accused be presented before the court again on November 19. The Station House Officer (SHO) of Chaklala Police Station, accompanied by the investigative team, petitioned for the physical remand of the accused, citing the need to recover a mobile phone during the course of their inquiry.

They requested a one-month remand. However, the court declined the request for a 30-day remand. Both the accused, Hassan Nawaz Khokhar, and his defence counsel contended that Wajih Pasha had previously represented them, receiving a fee of Rs5 million, yet had failed to pursue their legal matters.

The policemen sought the reinstatement of cases that had been dismissed due to non-appearance and requested a refund of the paid fees. The defence lawyer further raised concerns over the possibility of waiving such a substantial sum, urging that the police court recover the money, as there was no personal animosity between the parties.

Following the proceedings, the accused was escorted under heavy guard to the Chaklala police station. The investigative team is now set to question both parties in a face-to-face interrogation.