08 March 2005	Tuesday	26 Muharram 1426

KARACHI, March 7: Two anti-terrorism courts (ATCs) acquitted on Monday three alleged workers of the banned Harkatul Mujahideen Al-Aalmi in three different petrol pump blast cases.

Judge Haq Nawaz Baloch of the ATC-5 acquitted Mohammad Rafi alias Doctor and Syed Ahmer Kazmi alias Shahbaz in two different cases pertaining to bomb blasts at Askari Petrom Pump on Rashid Minhas Road and Nawaz Perol Pump on Sharea Faisal on May 15, 2003.

Judge Feroze Mehmood Bhatti of the ATC-2 exonerated Mehmoodullah from charges of planting a bomb in a petrol pump at New Town on May 15, 2003. The judges acquitted the alleged activists of the banned religious outfit as prosecution could not bring on record sufficient evidence against them.

Different workers of the Al-Aalmi were charged-sheeted in over 20 blasts which took place at various petrol pumps on May 15, 2003, in the small hours. The accused have been acquitted in half of the cases, while the remaining cases are still pending trial.

Interestingly, according to police the two accused each, riding on bikes, planted devises in dustbins of the petrol pumps which exploded at different times. However, the bomb disposal experts, who appeared as prosecution witnesses, deposed that the devices were ignited with fuse wire.

MASJID RAZA CASE: Judge Haq Nawaz Baloch of the ATC-5 put off the hearing of the Masjid Ali Raza bomb blast case against a worker of the banned Lashkar-i-Jhangvi after hearing the arguments on an application of special public prosecutor Mazhar Qayyum.

The judge fixed March 14 for pronouncement of the order on prosecutor's application, seeking court's permission to produce some medico-legal officers as prosecution witnesses. As many as 25 faithful had been killed and 37 others injured on May 31 last year when a suicide bomber blew himself inside the Masjid Ali Raza, located at the Old Numaish.

Accused Gul Hasan, arrested on June 13, is stated to have been the mastermind of bomb blasts at Haideri Mosque and Imambargah Ali Raza. He is alleged to have planned the attacks with absconding accused that included Asif Chutho and Mufti Obaid.

JUDGMENT DEFERRED: The ATC-2 deferred till March 14 judgment in the doctor brothers' case. The two doctors have been charged with a series of offences, including medical treatment to Al Qaeda activists and other terrorists, and for sending people to Wana for terrorist training.

Dr Akmal Waheed and his younger brother Dr Arshad Waheed were prosecuted for financing, harbouring and treating activists of the Jundullah. According to police, some Jundullah activists, arrested for their involvement in an attack on the corps commander's convoy and other terrorist activities, stated that the doctor brothers had close links with them. The two brothers were charged with supporting, assisting, providing facilities, including financial help, to members of Jundullah.

SENTENCED: The additional district and session's judge, East, Ms Rashida Asad, sentenced two workers of the Mohajir Qaumi Movement Haqiqi to a five-year term for kidnapping two people, including a sub-inspector.

Irfa alias Malu and Rahir alias Tipu were found guilty of kidnapping SI Latif and Khalid on May 23, 1995, within the limits of Saudabad police station. The judge also imposed a fine of Rs5,000 each on the convicts, who would have to undergo an additional three-month term in case of default on the payment.