July 31, 2007	Tuesday	Rajab 15, 1428

RAWALPINDI, July 30: The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) No 2 here on Monday extended the physical remand of 47 people arrested in connection with the July 27 clashes between the supporters of former Lal Masjid Khateeb Maulana Abdul Aziz and the capital police.

The Special Judge, Sakhi Mohammad Kahot set free eighteen other persons after the police found them innocent during preliminary investigations.

Station House Officer (SHO), Aabpara, Abdul Rasheed Khan Niazi had sought seven-day’s remand of the remaining 47 people but the judge extended the remand for only two days and directed the police to produce them before the court on August 1.

The capital police had arrested sixty-five people after the supporters of Maulana Aziz refused to offer prayers behind the government-appointed Khateeb of Lal Masjid and took over the mosque. The arrested people were charged with attempting to commit murder, assault and using criminal force to deter public servants from discharging their duties, disobedience to follow order duly promulgated by public servants, mischief, causing damage to public property, rioting armed with deadly weapons, unlawful assembly and terrorism.

Meanwhile, on a bail application filed by the defence counsel of Maulana Aziz in a case registered with the Aabpara police in August 2005, the ATC judge directed the police to produce the details of the case on August 2.

Maulana Aziz’s counsel Hashmat Habib in his application maintained that the FIR had been registered without any evidence and the police had completed their investigation and his client was not needed for further investigation.

According to the FIR, some 500 students of Jamia Fareedia entered the Lal Masjid on Friday, August 5, 2005 and the Maulana violated section 144 by delivering a speech on a loudspeaker and distributing pamphlets among the participants.