ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court (ACT) convicted Mufti Tanveer Alam Farooqi for his affiliation with a banned organisation and sentenced him to six months imprisonment on Monday.

The Mufti, who is president of the banned Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) Rawalpindi chapter, was arrested in December of last year on charges of making hate speeches and possessing weapons.

Counter Terrorism Department police station Rawalpindi registered an FIR against him under various sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) and the Pakistan Penal Code.

On December 31 Farooqi, with his companions and gunmen, was taken into custody after a joint patrolling team of the police and Rangers intercepted their double-cabin pickup truck at a checkpost near Tramri Chowk.

The police said Farooqi and his companions were arrested after illegal weapons, including a 12-bore pump action shotgun, two 44-bore rifles, two 9mm pistols and bullets were recovered from their possession.

Public prosecutor Noor Khan told the court during a hearing that the Mufti, a prayer leader at a mosque in Taxila, delivered hate speeches. The lawyer also said Farooqi gave out visiting cards which referred to him as the president of ASWJ Pindi chapter.

Mr Khan reminded the court that under section 11/F of the ATA, a person claiming affiliation with any banned outfit is liable to be punished with a minimum prison sentence of six months. The ATC judge, in addition to the prison sentence, also ordered the convict to pay a fine of Rs50,000.

Published in Dawn, October 6th, 2015

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