KARACHI: Notice again issued to govt in detention case
By Our Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Dec 16: The Sindh High Court repeated on Friday a notice given to a federal attorney to ascertain the whereabouts of a former Lashkar-i-Tayba leader allegedly arrested by law enforcement agencies last month. Dr Mrs Hania Wakil, the petitioner, alleged that her spouse Dr Dawood Qasmi, a former office-bearer of the outlawed Jehadi outfit Lashkar-i-Tayba who participated in the relief work carried out in the earthquake-hit areas of the NWFP and Azad Kashmir, was taken into custody from his Gulistan-i-Jauhar residence soon after his return to Karachi in November.
She said military agencies harassed her when she put up resistance to her husband’s arrest and told her that he was wanted by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The petitioner’s counsel, Nehal Hashmi, told an SHC division bench, comprising Justices Ghulam Rabbani and Munib Ahmed Khan, that the nephews of Dr Qasmi, Omer Zahoor and Kamran Sabir, were also picked up from their houses in the PIB Colony and PECHS areas of Karachi. They were, however, released by the LEAs after some time.
He said whereabouts of Dr Qasmi were still unknown and expressed the apprehension that he might be handed to the US agency. The life, honour and dignity of the petitioner and her family were in danger as she was still receiving threats.
The court repeated its notice to a federal government law officer to seek instructions from the competent authorities and adjourned the hearing to January 11, 2006.
COMMISSIONER APPOINTED: The Sindh High Court on Friday appointed ex-registrar of the SHC Roshan Rohejo as commissioner to record evidence of chairman of Mohajir Quami Movement Afaq Ahmed in his Rs100 million lawsuit for defamation against mill owner, adds PPI.
Afaq sued Mohammad Farooq, a textile mill owner, for falsely implicating activists of the Mohajir Qaumi Movement in a dacoity at his factory in 1995.
The allegation of the defendant was found false as real culprits involved in the dacoity were arrested by police and the accusation that they belonged to MQM could not be proved.
Plaintiff said MQM is the only representative party of Mohajirs and the allegations of defendant had caused an irreparable damage to its fame and good name for which he is liable to pay Rs 100 million to the plaintiff. His counsel Sohail Hameed submitted before the SHC’s division bench, comprising Justice Nadeem Azhar Siddiqui, that the plaintiff is willing to withdraw his lawsuit if the defendant takes back his allegation.
Defendant counsel Aslam Butt requested time to seek instructions from his client.
JUDGMENT RESERVED: The Sindh High Court on Friday reserved judgment on an appeal submitted by a man against his conviction in murder and attempt to murder case after hearing the closing arguments of the appellant and state counsel.
Karim Dino was sentenced to death by additional district and session court Hyderabad on Jan 11 having found guilty for murdering a young boy and injuring his wife.
Prosecution alleged that appellant had killed Abdul Jabbar and injured his wife Ms Irshad Khatoon on Dec 21, 1998 in Bhit Shah area Hyderabad on suspicion of their illicit relationship.
