KARACHI: SHC puts off hearing of appeal in Pearl case
KARACHI, Oct 6: The Sindh High Court on Friday adjourned hearing of appeals filed by Ahmed Omer Sheikh and others in US journalist Daniel Pearl kidnapping and killing conspiracy case.
The adjournment came as Omer's counsel Khawaja Sultan has gone abroad for heart surgery and he is likely to return in November. SHC's division bench, comprising Justice Sarmad Jalal Osmany and Justice Ali Sain Dino Metlo, adjourned the matter for Nov 24.
Ahmed Omer Sheikh was sentenced to death on charges of kidnapping and killing US journalist, and his three accomplices -- Fahad Naseem, Syed Salman Saqib and Sheikh Mohammad Adil -- were sentenced to life imprisonment, with fine of Rs5,00,000 each by the ATC Hyderabad on July 15, 2002.
The appeal against conviction of appellants and state appeal for enhancement of sentence of co-accused are pending in SHC since 2002.
ban on Indian films: The federal law officer on Friday sought time before the Sindh High Court from obtaining instructions from ministry of culture on a petition against ban on exhibition of Indian films in Pakistani cinemas.
The Pakistan Film Exhibitors Association seeks to review the policy behind ban on Indian films, and allow it to import films and exhibit in cinemas.
As the matter was taken up before SHC's division bench, comprising Justice Mushir Alam and Justice Maqbool Baqar, standing counsel Ms Sofia Saeed Shah requested time to obtain instructions from ministry of culture and concerned authority that regulating such media.
The court has adjourned the hearing for last week of October. The petitioner submitted that despite the ban, legal or otherwise, Indian films have continued not only to enter Pakistan, but substantially penetrated in society with impunity.
It said films that were officially banned for the petitioner association were being shown on cable TV and channels and domestic film festivals which was discrimination against it.
The association said the policy of the government has destroyed Pakistani cinema and film industry and has virtually seen the complete closure of cinema-houses throughout the country.
Bail plea: The High Court of Sindh on Friday adjourned the hearing on case of Raja Zarat seeking bail, allegedly involved in massive tax frauds, till Oct 12.
Barrister Waseem Sajjad, representing Raja Zarat and deputy attorney general Akhter Ali Mehmood, appearing for the state also presented their arguments.
The bail application of Raja Zarat Khan has already been dismissed by the special appellate court for customs.
Raja Zarat Khan resigned from customs department in 2002 and launched his Bawan Shah Group of Companies in 2003. The applicant among others is accused of having obtained huge amounts of rebates and sales tax refunds on the basis of alleged illegal exports.
The division bench comprising Chief Justice SHC, Justice Sabihuddin Ahmed and Justice Yasmeen Abbasey, after hearing arguments adjourned till Oct 12.
Meanwhile, a division bench of the Sindh High Court, comprising Justice Mushir Alam and Justice Maqbool Baqar, on Friday directed its Nazir to inspect the condition of items/ chemical products stored at the chemical godown/ warehouse of late Haji Akhlaq, in SITE Industrial Area where a fire had broken out on Sept 21. The petition was filed by Tariq, Naeem and Mansoor, sons of late Haji Akhlaq.
Directive to KBCA: A division bench of High Court of Sindh, comprising Justice Mushir Alam and Justice Maqbool Baqar, on Friday directed the Karachi Building Control Authority to take action against illegal construction raised on a plot on Tannery Road in Behar Colony.
Petitioner, Abdul Qadir sought directives against alleged unauthorised additional floors' construction.
Nazir of SHC also submitted his report, who was earlier directed by the court to inspect the site to ascertain the position of the structure.
Advocate Dilawer Hussain representing the KBCA requested the bench to grant time to enable him to obtain the factual position and file comments.
Advocate Abdul Jabbar Korai appearing for the petitioner submitted that the construction is in violation of building rules and regulations, raised without approved building plan.
He also prayed the court to direct the respondents for restoration of compulsory open space at the structure.—APP/PPI
