KARACHI: An antiterrorism court on Monday directed the investigation DIG to ensure the presence of SSP Akhtar Farooq, currently posted as a personal security officer of the Punjab chief minister, for recording his statement in a case pertaining to the murder of renowned social activist Perween Rahman.

Five detained accused — Abdul Raheem Swati, his son Mohammad Imran Swati with three co-accused Ayaz Shamzai, alias Swati, Amjad Hussain Khan and Ahmed Khan, aliases Ahmed Ali and Pappu Kashmiri — have been charged with her murder.

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

SHC wants case concluded within two months

On Monday, the matter was fixed before the ATC-XIII judge to record testimony of the prosecution witness, SSP Akhtar Farooq.

The prosecution had named him as a prosecution witness as he was the investigating officer of the case and a member of the joint investigation team which was constituted in the light of directives of the Supreme Court to probe the high-profile murder.

The police officer had also grilled accused Abdul Raheem, alias Swati, and had recorded his ‘confessional’ statement under Section 21H (conditional admissibility of confession) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.

However, Mr Farooq failed to appear before court and the current investigating officer stated that the SSP was unable to appear before the court as he was posted as a personal security officer to the Punjab CM and was busy. He further said that the SSP would appear on Nov 27.

However, the judge observed that the SSP was an important witness in the case and expressed displeasure over his absence despite issuance of a notice to him in the previous hearing.

The judge directed the investigation DIG to ensure the presence of the witness on the next date and fixed the matter on Nov 23.

Recently, the Sindh High Court had directed the trial court to conclude the trial within two months.

The trial court had also recently dismissed bail applications of Raheem Swati, the main accused charged with planning and executing the murder, and his son Imran Swati, who has been charged with concealing information about the accused persons.

Initially, the murder 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.

Published in Dawn, November 20th, 2018