ISLAMABAD, July 13: While admitting the petition of a convict against the death sentence awarded to him in a 1996 terrorism case in Lahore, the Supreme Court on Wednesday issued notice to his co-accused, who was similarly sentenced but was acquitted later to explain why his sentence should not be restored. Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar and Justice Mohammad Nawaz Abbasi issued the notice to Mohammad Hussain alias Hasni, the alleged accomplice of petitioner Sajjawal alias Jani who took the plea that according to a witness the actual act of terrorism was carried out by Hasni.

Sajjawal and Hasni were tried and sentenced, by an Anti- Terrorism Court for killing a person in a grenade attack on an auto shop owner who had refused to pay “Jagga Tax” (extortion money) demanded by Sajjawal.

Sajjawal had threatened Zamin Ali, owner of Service Auto Shop, Ravi Road Lahore on October 22, 1996 to pay him Rs20,000 “or face consequences”. After he refused, Sajjawal and Hasni came to his shop on a motorcycle the same evening and threw a grenade which killed Mohammad Asif and wounded many .

An Anti-Terrorism Court tried them and sentenced both to death. Subsequently, the Lahore High Court acquitted Hasni but held up the death sentence of Sajjawal.

Sajjawal has challenged the sentence before the Supreme Court claiming the grenade was hurled by Hasni, while he was driving the motorbike, also affirmed by a witnesses.

The apex court granted leave to appeal to Sajjawal and issued notice to Hasni on suo motu with a direction to appear before the court on next hearing, the date of which would be fixed later.