KARACHI, Jan 3: The Sindh High Court issued notice on Thursday to the Sindh Home Secretary, DIG Crime Investigation Department and a DSP of the Anti- terrorism Wing (ATW) for Jan 18 on a matter regarding illegal detention of Syed Qasim Raza.

A division bench, comprising Justice Sabihuddin Ahmed and Justice Zia Pervez, was hearing a petition filed by Syeda Aale Zehra challenging three days’ detention of her son Qasim Raza who is alleged to be an activist of a banned militant outfit, Sipah-i-Mohammed, by the ATW.

The petitioner’s counsel submitted that the ATW arrested his client’s son Qasim on November 16, 2001 in her house but did not produce him in any court of law. On November 18, 2001 the petitioner held a press conference at which she stated that her son was arrested by the ATW, and they did not disclose his whereabouts, and she feared that he would be implicated in false cases. She also demanded his immediate release.

The counsel further submitted that the next day, ie, on November 19, 2001, ATW officials produced her son before the administrative judge of the anti- terrorism courts for Karachi and got his remand. However, they showed November 19, 2001 as his date of arrest. The petitioner alleged that her son had been implicated in a false case on the pressure of the Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan.

The counsel said ATW officials detained the petitioner’s son, which was a violation of human rights as guaranteed by the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. He prayed the court to declare the ATW action illegal, and direct the authorities to investigate the matter.—PPI