KARACHI, June 17: The tribunal probing the Nishtar Park explosion asked a Quran Television (QTV) director on Saturday to produce the structural design and relevant record pertaining to the stage prepared by the channel for its naatia mushaira on April 10 and lent to the Eid-i-Milad function organizers on April 11.
Appearing in response to the tribunal’s summons, QTV programmes director Khalil Warsi said the stage was prepared in accordance with a plan designed by the experts hired by the ARY Digital Network, the channel’s parent organization. The police tried to stop the installation, but when it was showed the permission granted by a competent officer, it allowed the work to proceed.
He said permission was also sought from Shah Turabul Haq Qadri, the permit holder for the main Milad procession, which was to terminate at the park. Shah Turab said the procession would be followed by a public meeting, which also required a stage. He was initially reluctant because it would be difficult to dismantle the stage well in time for preparation of a new one. Negotiations followed and the channel offered Shah Turab its stage for use for the public meeting on April 11.
The stage was ready on April 8 and finishing touches were given by 8 pm on April 10. It was checked by the bomb disposal squad and handed over to the QTV after clearance. The mushaira started at 10.30pm and continued well into the wee hours. It was left intact for use by the Eid-i-Milad function on April 11 evening. The stage was prepared with the channel’s own resources.
Asked by the tribunal, which consists of Justice Rahmat Hussain Jafferi of the Sindh High Court, whether he could produce a copy of the design, the witness said it was not available with him right then but he could send for it.
The tribunal waited for the copy during tea-break and adjourned further proceedings to Monday when it could not be made available. Additional Advocate-General Sarwar Khan conducted the examination-in-chief of the witness.
Sunni Movement counsel Javaid Ahmed Chhatari requested the tribunal to record the evidence of Inspector Mohammad Iqbal, in charge of the bomb disposal squad unit. The tribunal said the inspector’s testimony would be recorded after the completion of the QTV officials’ statements.
