KARACHI, Feb 15: The Sindh High Court asked the inspector-general of police and the Sindh Bar Council to investigate the threats allegedly made by a lawyer against a court-appointed counsel in a terrorism appeal.

Advocate Munir Ahmed Chandio sought to withdraw as counsel for Gul Hasan, who was sentenced to death by an anti-terrorism court for masterminding the suicide bomb blast at Hyderi mosque at Sindh Madrassatul Islam in May 2004, which claimed 23 lives. He was also convicted in Imambargah Ali Raza case. He moved an appeal against his conviction and sentence but the counsel engaged by him withdrew his power of attorney. The SHC appellate bench, which consisted of Justices Rehmat Husain Jafferi and Munib Ahmed Khan, appointed Advocate Chandio to argue his appeal. As the appeal came up for hearing on Thursday, the lawyer sought to withdraw from the case as he has received threats from advocate.

The bench asked the IGP and the SBC to submit their reports within seven days and adjourned proceedings. —Staff Reporter