KARACHI: An anti-terrorism court on Wednesday indicted a suspect booked in a targeted killing case.

Mohammad Adil, along with his absconding associates, Mushtaq and Haris, all said to be associated with a political party, has been charged with killing a member of the banned People’s Amn Committee (PAC), Munawar Gabol, in August last year within the remit of the Mubina Town police station.

ATC-III judge Ghulam Mustafa Memon, who is conducting the trial inside the Central Prison Karachi, read out the charges against the suspect, who pleaded not guilty and opted to contest the case. Subsequently, the court summoned the prosecution witnesses with direction to record their testimonies on Aug 7.

According to the prosecution, Adil and Mushtaq shot dead Munawar Gabol on Abul Hassan Ispahani Road on Aug 1, 2011 at the behest of Haris. Later, the police arrested Adil.

A case (FIR No291/11) was registered under Sections 302 (premeditated murder), 109 (abetment) and 34 (common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code and Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 at the Mubina Town police station.

Arson attack case

Another anti-terrorism court on Wednesday recorded the statement of a prosecution witness in an arson attack case.

Suspects Khanzada and Mohammad Shafi, said to be activists of a political party, along with their over a dozen associates, have been charged with setting a minibus on fire on the night of Aug 12, 2011 in Keamari. The attack had left at least three people dead and many others injured.

Prosecution witness Rahim Ali appeared before the court and deposed that he was travelling in the minibus when it was attacked near Humayun Centre in Keamari. He further testified that as the vehicle was set on fire, the passengers raised a hue and cry, adding that he could not see the attackers as he, like several other passengers, fell unconscious because of the fire and smoke.

While recording his statement, the witnesses also showed the marks of burns he had sustained in the arson attack, and prayed to court for a compensation.

After his testimony, ATC Judge Bashir Ahmed Khoso adjourned the hearing till Aug 15 for further evidence. The prosecution has so far examined six witnesses in the case.