ATC rejects terror provisions in Sidra case

The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Wednesday rejected police pleas seeking the inclusion of terrorism provisions in the high-profile murder case of 17-year-old Sidra Bibi, who was allegedly killed in the name of honour after contracting a second marriage of her choice following divorce from her first husband.

ATC Judge Amjad Ali Shah ruled that the case was an ordinary murder case and that the provisions of Section 7 of the ATA did not apply. The court rejected police requests seeking cancellation of the bail granted to all 10 accused, their arrest and a fresh investigation. It upheld their bail and ordered that the case be transferred back to the District and Sessions Court, Rawalpindi.