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KARACHI, Aug 19: An anti-terrorism court on Thursday adjourned the hearing of a case pertaining to distribution of pamphlets by a London-born doctor after recording the statement of the investigation officer.
Judge Arshad Noor Khan of the ATC-3 fixed Friday for recording the statement of Dr. Ismail Shaikh after special public prosecutor Naimat Ali Randhawa filed the "closing statement for the prosecution side".
The prosecutor submitted that since all necessary witnesses have been examined, he closed the prosecution side under Section 265-F of the Criminal Procedure Code. The prosecution examined five witnesses, who were all policemen.
The case against Dr Ismail was registered by the Clifton police for distributing pamphlets, containing material against the US, Jews and Pakistan in front of a Clifton mosque.
The investigation officer, SI Mehboob Illahi was also cross-examined by the defence counsel. According to prosecution, the 30-year-old dentist was the member of a Palestine-based proscribed organisation, Hizbul Tehreer. He was arrested while distributing pamphlets in front of Moti Masjid after Isha prayers on July 7.
Replying to questions by the judge after examination-in- chief, the investigation officer said he did not make any effort to locate the offices of the proscribed Hizbul Tehreer.
The SI deposed that during the course of investigation, he did not find any identity card or membership card which could prove the affiliation of the accused with the proscribed organization.
To another question by the judge, the IO submitted that he did not record the statement of the imam or faithfuls present in the Moti Masjid. The offence involves maximum punishment of six-month rigorous imprisonment.
The doctor had recently come from London and was residing in Nazimabad. He first came here in 1999 and married his cousin. Later, he divorced his wife in 2002 and left for London. He solemnized his second marriage in London and returned here a few months back.
STATEMENT RECORDED: An anti-terrorism court in Karachi on Thursday adjourned the hearing of trial against an accused who is being tried for allegedly kidnapping and killing a seven-year-old boy after deposition by witness, adds PPI.
Shafqat Hussain was arrested by the police on May 21 and he is charged with kidnapping and killing a boy Umair Ali in New Town. Judicial Magistrate Shaista Hamid, who had recorded the confessional statement of the kidnapper recorded her statement.
ATC, headed by Judge Arshad Noor Khan, after recording statement of the magistrate, fixed the matter for Aug 20. Special public prosecutor Naimat Ali Randhawa is representing the state.
According to prosecution, accused kidnapped the boy from New Town on April 10 for ransom. He kept the boy in the storeroom and later killed him when he raised a hue and cry.
