KARACHI: An antiterrorism court on Thursday put off hearing of a case pertaining to renowned social rights activist Perween Rahman’s murder following a restraining order issued by the Sindh High Court.

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

Perween Rahman, head of the Orangi Pilot Project, was gunned down near her office in Orangi Town on March 13, 2013.

On Thursday, the matter came up for hearing before the ATC-XIII judge, who is conducting the trial in the judicial complex inside the central prison. Advocate Salahuddin Panhwar for the complainant, who is a sister of the slain activist, was absent.

However, the judge put off the hearing till Feb 26 following a restraining order issued by the SHC.

On Feb 7, the judge had deferred hearing concluding arguments in the case after the complainant’s counsel Advocate Salahuddin pointed out that the high court on Dec 22 restrained the ATC from proceeding further with the trial until it would decide the complainant’s review application.

In her review plea, the complainant had challenged the trial court’s order of dismissing her application pleading to halt trial proceedings.

Published in Dawn, February 15th, 2019