Conclusion: Amir Khan allowed to go on Hajj

He has been ordered to submit a surety of Rs1 million

KARACHI: An anti-terrorism court granted permission on Monday to Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Amir Khan to travel abroad after submitting a surety of one million rupees.

Khan, who is facing allegations of instigating terrorism and harboring criminals, had pleaded to the court to allow him to go to Saudi Arabia, contending that he wanted to perform Hajj.

His application was strongly opposed by the prosecution who suspected that the accused, if allowed, would not come back and, thus, escape the trial. The prosecution weighed its arguments, submitting that some of his party comrades reportedly left the country, fearing their arrest during the targeted operation in the city.

On the other hand, the defence maintained that Khan had no ulterior motives and just wanted to fulfill his religious obligation. The defence asserted that its client would return to face the trial.

It took four hearings for the court to decide whether or not to allow the accused to leave the country. The first hearing went smoothly, as the prosecution sought time to study the suspect's contention, which is permissible under the law. In the second hearing, the case appeared to be turning into a raging one as the prosecution accused the court of favouring the suspect. During the third hearing, documents provided by the defence in support of their claim were scrutinised and then, finally, on the fourth hearing the matter was decided.

The ATC-II judge observed that the suspect will have to submit a security amounting to Rs1 million against his pledge of returning to the country. The sum will be added to his already submitted surety of the same amount and the whole amount of Rs2 million will serve as the guaranty.

Khan was taken into custody during the March 11 raid at the MQM headquarters, Nine Zero, and subsequently was grilled by the Rangers for three months. Since he was Nine Zero's security incharge, he was later booked for allegedly giving shelter to convicted, wanted and other suspects the paramilitary force claims to have arrested from there.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 18^th, 2015.