25 April 2004	Sunday	04 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425

RAWALPINDI, April 24: The anti-terrorism court no 1 here on Saturday framed charges against chief of the banned Islami Tehrik Pakistan (ITP) Allama Sajid Naqvi and former MNA Nawab Amanullah Khan Sial in Maulana Azam Tariq's murder case.

Judge Manzoor Ahmed Mirza read out the charges to Mr Sial and Allama Naqvi under Section 120-B of Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) which are tantamount to conspiracy and masterminding the episode of Azam Tariq's murder. Both the accused denied the charges.

According to the prosecution, Allama Sajid Naqvi, Amanullah Khan Sial and Sibtain Kazmi, a proclaimed offender in the case, had masterminded the murder plan of the chief of the outlawed Millat-i-Islamia Pakistan (MIP), Maulana Azam Tariq, in the house of Jamaat-i-Islami chief Qazi Hussain Ahmed.

PRE-ARREST BAIL: The judge of the anti-terrorism court no 2, Safdar Hussain Malik, granted pre-arrest bail to the general secretary of Muttahida Transport Action Committee, Shabeer Bangash, who was booked on charges of setting a bus of a private company on fire on Murree Road on Thursday night.

Meanwhile, the additional district and sessions judge, awarded two years rigorous imprisonment (RI) to a Nigerian in a drug-trafficking case.

The court also imposed Rs10,000 fine on the convict, Joseph Fedro. In case of non-payment of fine, the convict would have to undergo another two months of jail-term.

The prosecution had contended that Airport police had arrested Joseph Fedro at Islamabad airport and seized five kilograms of hashish from him.

Similarly, additional district and sessions judge Sanaullah Malik awarded five years rigorous imprisonment to a woman, Perveen in a drug-trafficking case.

The court also imposed Rs30,000 fine on her. In case of non-payment, she will serve another three months in jail.