Appearing for the accused, advocates M. Ilyas Khan and Muhammad Farooq maintained that Jam Yousuf tried his best to appear before the trial court. They also placed on record a letter written by the accused to the Balochistan home department for security arrangements amid threats of revenge by the heirs of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti.
A letter written by Section Officer of the provincial Home and Tribal Affairs department was also relied upon by the counsel for the accused which said that as per report of DIG Quetta and Deputy Commissioner Quetta, it was not advisable for Jam Yousuf to visit Quetta and other parts of Balochistan. “He (Jam Yousuf) is implicated in a high profile case of murder of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti and in view of precarious law and order situation he may be advised to keep away,” the letter said.
The counsel also submitted that a bail application of the accused is pending before the Balochistan High Court but hearing was adjourned as physical appearance of the accused was considered necessary by the court.
The Balochistan High Court in its order has made Balochistan government responsible for the security to the accused. “Despite intention to appear before the trial court and other courts, security situation is not permitting him to appear before the trial court,” the counsel submitted seeking extension in interim pre-arrest bail.
Justice Farooq Shah after hearing the counsel for the accused extended the interim bail by another 15 days.
Former president Pervez Musharraf, Balochistan governor Owais Ghani, Jam Yousuf, DCO Lasbella Abdul Samad Lasi and then home minister of Balchistan, Mir Shaoib Nowsherwani, are facing trial in the murder case of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti who was killed along with some army men in a mountainous area of Balochistan.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 14th, 2012.
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