KARACHI: An anti-terrorism court on Wednesday indicted a suspect booked in a targeted killing case.

Mohammad Adil, along with his absconding associates, Mushtaq and Haris, all said to be associated with a political party, has been charged with killing a member of the banned People’s Amn Committee (PAC), Munawar Gabol, in August last year within the remit of the Mubina Town police station.

ATC-III judge Ghulam Mustafa Memon, who is conducting the trial inside the Central Prison Karachi, read out the charges against the suspect, who pleaded not guilty and opted to contest the case. Subsequently, the court summoned the prosecution witnesses with direction to record their testimonies on Aug 7.

According to the prosecution, Adil and Mushtaq shot dead Munawar Gabol on Abul Hassan Ispahani Road on Aug 1, 2011 at the behest of Haris. Later, the police arrested Adil.

A case (FIR No291/11) was registered under Sections 302 (premeditated murder), 109 (abetment) and 34 (common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code and Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 at the Mubina Town police station.

Arson attack case

Another anti-terrorism court on Wednesday recorded the statement of a prosecution witness in an arson attack case.

Suspects Khanzada and Mohammad Shafi, said to be activists of a political party, along with their over a dozen associates, have been charged with setting a minibus on fire on the night of Aug 12, 2011 in Keamari. The attack had left at least three people dead and many others injured.

Prosecution witness Rahim Ali appeared before the court and deposed that he was travelling in the minibus when it was attacked near Humayun Centre in Keamari. He further testified that as the vehicle was set on fire, the passengers raised a hue and cry, adding that he could not see the attackers as he, like several other passengers, fell unconscious because of the fire and smoke.

While recording his statement, the witnesses also showed the marks of burns he had sustained in the arson attack, and prayed to court for a compensation.

After his testimony, ATC Judge Bashir Ahmed Khoso adjourned the hearing till Aug 15 for further evidence. The prosecution has so far examined six witnesses in the case.

Opinion

Editorial

ICJ rebuke
Updated 26 May, 2024

ICJ rebuke

The reason for Israel’s criminal behaviour is that it is protected by its powerful Western friends.
Hot spells
26 May, 2024

Hot spells

WITH Pakistan already dealing with a heatwave that has affected 26 districts since May 21, word from the climate...
Defiant stance
26 May, 2024

Defiant stance

AT a time when the country is in talks with the IMF for a medium-term loan crucial to bolstering the fragile ...
More pledges
Updated 25 May, 2024

More pledges

There needs to be continuity in economic policies, while development must be focused on bringing prosperity to the masses.
Pemra overreach
25 May, 2024

Pemra overreach

IT seems, at best, a misguided measure and, at worst, an attempt to abuse regulatory power to silence the media. A...
Enduring threat
25 May, 2024

Enduring threat

THE death this week of journalist Nasrullah Gadani, who succumbed to injuries after being attacked by gunmen, is yet...