KARACHI, March 14: An Anti-Terrorism Court in Karachi on Monday acquitted two activists of banned Harkatul Mujahideen Al Alami in petrol pump blast case.

ATC Judge Syed Aley Maqbool Rizvi exonerating Sameerullah and Mohammad Khalid ordered that they may be released forthwith if not involved in other cases.

They were prosecuted for causing bomb explosion at Shell petrol pump in Rizvia on May 15, 2003.

The court had earlier reserved the judgment after hearing closing arguments of defence counsel Nadeem Shahzad Hahsmi and Special Public Prosecutor Abdul Waheed Khan.

Side closed: Prosecution on Monday closed its side before an Anti-Terrorism Court in Karachi in a trial against two activists of the banned Hizbul Tehrir, facing charges of carrying out party activities despite a ban, after recording statement of their final four witnesses.

Dr Ismail Sheikh and Asimuddin are accused of continuing their party activities despite a ban and inciting people against government and friendly countries through speeches.

The witnesses Mohammad Shafiq and Mohammad Nadeem, Namazis, who offered Friday prayers at Lal mosque, stated that the accused were arrested outside the mosque after Friday prayers by the police and they were chanting “Allah-o-Akbar.”

SI Rana Mehmood of Special Branch, who arrested the accused and investigation officer Hatim Khan, who conducted the investigation of the case, were also examined.

After statements by the witnesses, Special Public Prosecutor Naimat Ali Randhawa rested the prosecution side. ATC Judge Arshad Noor Khan after deposition by witnesses fixed March 15 for statement of accused.

Police arrested Hizb activists from Paposh Nagar on Oct 29, 2004, as they announced to hold a demonstration to denounce US-led allied forces invasion of Iraq. Police, however, foiled their attempt to stage a demonstration.—PPI