‘No question of this case being closed’

Published May 13, 2015
Omar Shahid Hamid
Omar Shahid Hamid

KARACHI: Omar Shahid Hamid, son of the slain KESC MD Shahid Hamid, has said that Saulat Mirza’s family had tried to approach him and his mother on many occasions to seek their pardon.

“Saulat Mirza’s family at various points recently and in the past attempted to contact us to gain forgiveness under the Qisas and Diyat Ordinance. This included one attempt which I recall when many years ago they showed up at my mother’s office. There were also attempts made during the MQM government to intimidate us into giving Saulat forgiveness. At one point then home minister Aftab Shaikh called me and threatened me. My mother was removed from her post and not given a job for two years during the MQM government, and various other similar incidents. Even Saulat Mirza’s wife has given statements in this regard saying that several attempts were made but rebuffed by us,” Omar told Dawn on Tuesday.

Know more: Saulat Mirza executed at Balochistan's Machh Jail

About Saulat, through his own admission saying that he was just a hired killer, Omar said: “On the issue of the remaining suspects in this case, I think there is a lot of misconception about the case. Saulat gave the same statement in court, under Section 164 [of the criminal procedure code], back in 1999. Based on that statement, Altaf Hussain and others were challaned in the case as absconders. As they are absconding from Pakistan, they can only be brought to trial when they return to Pakistan and Pakistan has no extradition treaty with the UK. However, the case and evidence against these suspects remains open so there is no question of this case being closed with Saulat Mirza,” he concluded.

Published in Dawn, May 13th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.