KARACHI, Dec 23: The Sindh High Court Bar Association (SHCBA) condemned on Monday the death sentences awarded to three accused, including a university teacher, by an Indian court under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (Pota).

By a resolution, it also expressed its shock over the five-year jail term awarded to the wife of one of the accused for not making an incriminating disclosure of the alleged defence. It described Pota as a draconian law which has no substantive or procedural safeguards for the rights of the accused. Its provisions are in clear violation of the universally established human rights and norms of justice.

Condemning acts of terrorism and violence against innocent civilians, the SHCBA urged the Indian government to refrain from making them a pretext to misuse emergency laws and to order retrial of the summarily condemned people. The association criticized promulgation of all special laws violating the due process of law in different countries, including Pakistan.

LAHORE RAID: By another resolution, the association expressed its profound shock and anxiety over the illegal midnight raid on the residence of a doctor near Lahore and arrest of eight members of his family. It was particularly perturbed over the reported participation of foreign agencies in the unlawful operation. It urged the government to act in accordance with the law, ensure that no foreign agency was involved in law enforcement and order release of all those arrested in the midnight raid.