KARACHI: An anti-terrorism court allowed on Saturday an application of Karachi Mayor Waseem Akhtar seeking exemption from personal appearance in a case registered against him for sheltering and treating alleged terrorists.

Former petroleum minister Dr Asim Hussain has been charged with treating and harbouring suspected terrorists, political militants and gangsters at his hospitals and the city mayor, Pak Sarzameen Party president Anis Kaimkhani, Muttahida Qaumi Movement lawmaker Rauf Siddiqui, PPP’s Abdul Qadir Patel and Usman Moazzam of Pasban have been named as co-accused for allegedly asking Dr Asim for treatment of alleged militants.

The mayor through his lawyer moved an application for exemption from in person appearance and the court allowed the same and also granted permission to the PSP president to perform Umrah after depositing Rs2 million surety.

The case was fixed for evidence, but the court adjourned since Dr Asim was not produced.

Hajano acquitted in another case

A sessions court acquitted on Saturday two accused in a robbery case for want of evidence.

Mohammed Ali Hajano, known for targeting Defence Housing Authority and its surroundings in a white corolla car by allegedly committing robberies and other offences in 2008-09, along with his accomplice Umair Khan has been charged with robbing a couple at Seaview.

After recording evidence and concluding arguments from both sides, additional district and sessions judge (South) Sikandar Ameer Pahore, who conducted the trial in the judicial complex in central prison, exonerated the accused since the couple did not turn up to testify against them.

The case was registered under Sections 392 (punishment for robbery) and 34 (common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code at the Darakhshan police station.

Published in Dawn December 4th, 2016