KARACHI, March 14: The Sindh High Court issued notices to the provincial home department, the town police officer of Saddar, the SHO of the Nabi Bux police station and others in a petition questioning the inclusion of a man in the fourth schedule of the Anti-Terrorist Act as a terrorism suspect.
Mohammad, a resident of Ranchore Lines area, submitted that he received a notice from the Nabi Bux police station that his name was listed in 4th schedule of ATA and he could not, therefore, take part in political and politico-religious activities and if he found indulging in such activities legal proceeding be initiated against him.
His counsel, Maqboolur Rehman, contended that such provisions were contrary to Articles 4, 5, 9 and 14 of the Constitution. He submitted that the petitioner’s movements had been restricted, though there was no case registered against him.
He requested the court to order production of material and evidence warranting the petitioner’s inclusion in the ATA schedule and restrain the police from harassing him or members of his family.
An SHC division bench, comprising Justices Ghulam Rabbani and Zia Pervez, issued notices to the respondents for their comments.
BUILDER RESTRAINED: Justice Munib Ahmed Khan, meanwhile, restrained M/s Quality Constructions (Pvt) Limited, builders and developers of The Forum, a shopping mall and office complex in Clifton, from taking any adverse action or harassing the shop owners.
The shop owners submitted through Advocate Khalid Jawed Khan that they had paid the entire price but the builder was prepared to execute sub-lease agreements.
They had practically been reduced to the status of ‘licensees’ or tenants of the property duly purchased by them. They requested the court to direct the builder to execute the sale deeds and let them conduct their businesses peacefully and without let or hindrance.
PETITION ADJOURNED: A writ petition moved by former revenue minister Imtiaz Ahmed Shaikh and his brother was adjourned to March 21 on Tuesday.
State counsel Raza Hashmi was reported sick by the federal government attorney, Ziauddin Nasir, and the bench, comprising Justices Ghulam Rabbani and Zia Pervez, adjourned the proceedings. Mr Hashmi appeared soon afterwards but the bench had passed the order.
It gave final notice to the counsel for the petitioners and the respondents, advocates Raja Qureshi, Fareed Ahmed Dayo, Raza Hashmi and Zia Nasir, that the petition would proceed on March 21 for final arguments and hearing.
The petitioners claim that they were cleared by the prime minister’s inspection team, but were implicated in cases by the Sindh chief minister. They sought transfer of all cases and investigations against them to federal tribunals and agencies.
No reply in respect of the alleged inquiry or its outcome had been received from the prime minister’s secretariat or the cabinet division, attorney Zia Nasir informed the division bench again on Tuesday.
