QUETTA: MPA Majeed Khan Achakzai of the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, who is facing charges of killing an on-duty traffic sergeant and another person, was produced before the Anti-Terrorism Court here on Thursday.

Police arrested Achakzai last month after CCTV footage went viral showing him killing the on-duty traffic police sergeant, Haji Attaullah Dashti, near the GPO Chowk.

The judge of the Anti-Terrorism Court, Dawood Nasir, heard the arguments in the case.

Defence lawyer representing the accused contended that it was a mere traffic accident and the police had included the anti-terrorism clauses in the case.

He requested the ATC that anti-terrorism clauses be removed from the case and the matter be referred to a normal court of law.

The court reserved the judgment as far as the removal of the anti-terrorism clauses from the case was concerned after hearing arguments of the two sides.

Further hearing of the case was adjourned till Aug 11.

Achakzai was later produced before a sessions court of Quetta in connection with another murder case.

Quetta Sessions Judge Rashid Mehmood remanded him in judicial custody till Aug 11 in the case.

Meanwhile, a division bench of the Balochistan High Court heard the bail application of Achakzai in the traffic sergeant murder case.

The counsel for Achakzai sought withdrawal of anti-terrorism clauses against Achakzai from the case.

The division bench adjourned the hearing of the case till Friday when prosecuting lawyer will submit his arguments.

Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2017