KARACHI: An antiterrorism court on Friday allowed an application filed by a sister of renowned social worker Perween Rahman to pursue the trial for the latter’s high-profile assassination after the death of the complainant in the case.

Perween Rahman, head of the Orangi Pilot Project, who devoted her life to the development of the impoverished neighbourhoods across the country, was gunned down near her office in Orangi Town on March 13, 2013.

The ATC-XIII judge, who is conducting trial in the judicial complex inside the Central Jail, passed this order on an application moved by the slain activist’s sister seeking permission to assist the prosecution during the trial.

Five accused, namely Ayaz Shamzai alias Swati, Amjad Hussain Khan, Ahmed Khan alias Ahmed Ali alias Pappu Kashmiri, Mohammad Imran Swati and Raheem Swati, were charged with murder on March 29.

Advocate Salahuddin Panhwar submitted that the complainant in the case, Mohammad Khan, who was a driver of the slain Perween Rahman, had passed away in his native town a few days back.

He further said that the investigating officer had also verified the death of the complainant, thus slain Rahman’s legal heir and sister Aquila Ismail wanted to pursue the trial and assist the prosecution. He requested to allow the application, which was allowed by the judge.

Bail of suspect

The court also partially heard argument on an application seeking bail for one of the suspects, Imran Swati, who was accused of facilitating the alleged killers of Ms Rahman and concealing information.

Defence counsel Shamrooz Khan argued that his client was taken into custody by the police three years ago and charged under Sections 201 (causing disappearance of evidence of offence, or giving false information to screen offender) and 202 (intentional omission to give information of offence by person bound to inform) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

He argued that neither his name was mentioned in the FIR nor any recovery was made from his possession. Even his arrest was not made from the site, the counsel contended, adding yet an innocent person was being incarcerated. Mr Khan pleaded to grant bail to his client.

However, the complainant’s counsel Salahuddin Panhwar sought time to advance his arguments on the next date. Allowing his request, the court fixed the matter for July 16.

A case was registered under Sections 302 (premeditated murder) and 34 (common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code at the Pirabad police station.

Later, Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 was incorporated in the case on a directive of the Supreme Court that also had ordered a judicial inquiry into the case by the then district and sessions judge (West), Ghulam Mustafa Memon.

The complainant’s counsel Mr Panhwar also pointed out to the court that the police high-ups were not providing adequate security to him, the witnesses and others linked with the high-profile assassination case despite issuance of clear directive by the Supreme Court.

He recalled that the prosecution witnesses were reluctant to appear to testify before the court, as they lacked adequate security and pleaded the court to direct the investigating officer to ensure adequate security for them.

Published in Dawn, July 14th, 2018