KARACHI, Feb 7: The Sindh High Court on Tuesday took notice of non-compliance of a court order, and directed the federal interior secretary to file affidavit within seven days regarding whereabouts of an IBA student who is missing since October 2004.
The court was hearing a petition filed by Zahida Leghari who alleged that her son, Affan Leghari was arrested by law enforcement agencies from his residence in Gulzar-i-Hijri on Oct 30, 2004 in connection with his alleged links with extremist groups.
On Dec 27, 2005, the court had directed federal interior secretary to file personal affidavit after due verification from all federal and other related agencies with regard to whereabouts of petitioner’s son.
“We are sorry to express that official functionaries failed to make compliance with order of the court, which is nothing short of giving due respect to order of superior courts,” observed SHC’s division bench, comprising Justice Ghulam Rabbani and Justice Zia Pervaiz.
The court observed that the secretary, ministry of interior, shall feel his responsibilities to obey court orders passed in constitutional jurisdiction and shall file personal affidavit within seven days.
Adjourning the matter till Feb 16, the court also directed the federal law officer and section officer of interior department to communicate the court order to interior secretary.
DETENTION CASE: The Sindh High Court on Tuesday issued notice to AG Sindh, TPO Clifton Town and others for Feb 22, on a petition against detention of Wali Mohammad by the law-enforcement agencies.
Dr. Bilquis Wali had submitted in her petition that her spouse Wali Mohammad was picked up by law-enforcement agencies on Feb 4 from his house.
She expressed fear that the life of her spouse is in danger.
SHC’s division bench, comprising Justice Ghulam Rabbani and Justice Zia Pervaiz, after preliminary hearing of petition issued notice to respondents for Feb 22.
Conviction set aside: The Sindh High Court Tuesday set aside conviction of three men, awarded by trial court, and acquitted them of possession of drug charges.
Sahib Ali Khan and Arzameen Khan were sentenced to life imprisonment with fine of Rs300,000 by Special Judge Control of Narcotics Substance Court Hyrderabad on Aug 18, 2004, having found guilty of possessing 55 kilograms of opium. Gul Badshah was sentenced 10 years with fine of Rs. 200,000for possessing 2,200 grams of heroin.
Their appeal against conviction was heard by SHC’s division bench, comprising Justice Mohammad Afzal Soomro and Justice Rehmat Hussain Jaffery.
The court after hearing the arguments of appellants and state counsel and examining the record of the case, for reason to be recorded later on, allowed the appeal and ordered the release of the appellants if not involved in other cases.
Meanwhile, the same bench granted bail to ex-assistant superintendent of KPT’s finance department in a corruption reference pertaining to misappropriation in photography bills.
Habib Ahmed Khan had allegedly submitted 781 fake bills of Rs8,854,505 and withdrew said amount.—PPI
