On the hit-list: Prosecutor’s house attacked second time in six months

Following the incident, a case, No. 142/14, under sections 324, and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code was registered.

KARACHI:

The house of the special public prosecutor, Abdul Maroof, who is leading the prosecution in several anti-terrorism cases, was attacked by unidentified men in Akhtar Colony on Monday. It was the second attack on the state prosecutor's home in less than six months.

According to Maroof, unidentified men on motorcycles opened fire at his house at around 12:40pm, when he was at work in the anti-terrorism courts. "My wife was at home when the incident occurred. The police found six empties from the site."

Following the murder of the former special prosecutor, Naimat Ali Randhawa, Maroof was appearing before the court in the murder case of journalist Wali Babar. Besides this, he has assisted the court on behalf of the state in several high-profile cases, including the Shahzeb murder case, Hamza murder case, Ajmal Pahari case and Akram Lahori case and many cases related to members of banned militant outfits.

He has been warned of assassination attempts by security agencies several times. Maroof narrowly escaped an attack when several assailants tried to break into his house early one morning in November last year.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Maroof said that he would keep working for the State despite the threats and assassination attempts, adding that he has requested the prosecutors and lawyers not to suspend judicial work.

Following the incident, a case, No. 142/14, under sections 324 (attempted murder), and 34 (common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code was registered at the Mehmoodabad police station.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 8^th, 2014.