No show: Arbab exile hearing put off

Supporters accuse government of purposely delaying court proceedings.

HYDERABAD: A hearing on Thursday to bring the former Sindh chief minister, Arbab Ghulam Rahim, out of his self-imposed exile was adjourned as lawyers boycotted the courts to observe a black day against the imposition of emergency four years ago.

The petitioners, through their counsel, Hashim Laghari, asked the court to stop any attempt to arrest Rahim or block his return to the country. They also asked for the removal of his name from the exit control list when he returns from the UAE. “Though there are no cases pending against him, he is willing to face any charges,” said Siraj Rehman.

Hundreds of Rahim’s supporters had gathered at the Hyderabad bench of the Sindh High Court to attend the proceedings. Angered by the adjournment of the hearing, they protested at the press club and said that it was a ploy by the government to impede Rahim’s return. They want him to compete in the next elections, but are afraid that he will be arrested or deported from the airport.

“One of the reasons why Rahim is being stopped from returning is to deprive the Sindh Assembly from a genuine opposition,” said Syed Muhib Ali Shah. He said that the current opposition leader, Jam Madad Ali, has been a part of the provincial cabinet which is why he is not suitable for the role. The former chief minister’s party, the PML-Q, has four MPAs in the provincial assembly.

The court had sent notices to the Sindh chief secretary, home secretary, directors of the FIA and its immigration wing on a petition filed by Siraj Rehman and Anwar Arbab Rahim.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 4^th,  2011.