KARACHI, Dec 29: While the list of the much talked about cases against Dr Ishratul Ibad, the new governor of Sindh, is not being brought to light by his critics, one thing has emerged that something had cooked up before the general elections owing to which the home departments in various provinces had taken initiative to withdraw cases against political activists.

In Sindh, political activists of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, who were booked in heinous crimes, were released through courts.

There is official record suggesting that in August directives were issued to public prosecutors by the Balochistan home department for taking “necessary action” for withdrawal of cases registered against the leaders and activists of religious parties. Those leaders and activists were involved in anti-regime political activities.

However, after elections it was witnessed that some of those who were convicted and sent to prison, were released as a quid pro quo for the MMA’s understanding with the PML-Q for the formation of a government in Balochistan.

The instructions communicated by Eugene. L.M. Wang, section officer (solicitor) in the law department of Balochistan, dated Aug 26, 2002, indicate that the regime had, in fact, entered into some deal with the political elements of all shades — religious, ethnic, etc. — much before the elections were held. Neither side is prepared to sate whether or not it was part of some understanding.

But in Sindh the concerned departments have suddenly expressed ignorance of criminal or other cases, if any, against the new governor.

According to a list of 20 such cases obtained by Dawn, prosecutors were directed to move an application in respective courts for the withdrawal of cases. The cases pertained to anti-government rallies and use of loudspeakers, etc., by the MMA leaders.

They include Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Hyderi against whom three FIRs (239, 244 and 309 of 2001) were lodged with the Saddar police station in Quetta for taking out an anti-government procession and speaking at an anti-government press conference.

The list includes FIR 275/2001 in which Sardar Mohammad Ashraf Kakar, Hafiz Hussain Ahmad, Zahid Akhtar Baloch, Dr Khalid Nawaz and Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Hyderi were nominated. Maulana Hyderi was also nominated in FIR 164 of 2001.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Maulana Mohammad Khan Shirani, Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Hyderi, Hafiz Hussain Ahmad, Abdul Qadir Looni, Maulana Allahdad and Aziz Khilji advocate were implicated in the anti-government procession taken out on Oct 2, 2001 in FIR 186 under section 188 of the PPC.

Mir Gohar Khan Zarakzai, Hafiz Hussain Ahmad and Maulana Noor Mohammad were identified in FIR 310 lodged under sections 124, 124-A, and 505 of the PPC and 16 of the MPO.

In FIR 224, Abdul Qadir Looni, Mohammad Idrees Lango, Anwarul Haq Haqqani, Maulana Noor Mohammad and Abdul Ghani were nominated.

Hafiz Hussain Ahmad was mentioned in FIR 2238/2001 for taking out an anti-government procession whereas in FIR 213 Hafiz Hussain Ahmad Sheerodi was required for the violation of Loudspeaker Act 1965. He was also required in FIRs 216 of 2001 and 38 of 2002 for violating the same Act.

The list also includes FIR 8/2002, implicating Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam and Sipah-i-Sahaba under sections 123, 124, 153, 500, 506 and 34 of the PPC and 16 of the MPO for taking out an anti-government procession in Khuzdar. The case — FIR 34/2002 — pertains to implication of Abdul Latif, Maulana Mohammad Essa Nasrullah and others on a similar charge.

The case — FIR 36/2002 — is against some BNP and JUI activists for blocking the Quetta-Karachi Highway. Haji Mita Khan Jatak was required in FIR 122/2001, lodged with the Dera Murad Jamali police station under sections 188, 186, 337-A, 337-H QD, 353, 147, 148, 149, 427, 431 and 441 of the PPC for criminal trespass, rioting and obstructing in government duties.

The case against Maulana Abdul Haq was registered in Sibi under FIR 14/2002 for taking out an anti-government procession on Dec 7, 2001. Maulana Abdullah, Maulana Taj Mohammad, Maulana Khuda Bux, Maulana Hafiz Mohammad Hussain, Maulana Mohammad Khashim, Maulana Abdul Hafiz, Maulana Abdul Aziz, Maulana Abdul Khair and others were implicated in FIR 20/2001 lodged for blocking the National Highway in Sibi and taking out an anti-government procession.

Under FIR 13/2002, Maulana Amir Zaman, Maulana Faizullah and Syed Bacha Agha were charged with violation of the Loudspeaker Act in Loralai, whereas under FIR 194/2001, Maulana Noor Mohammad, Maulana Allahdad Khairkhwa, Maulana Hafiz Hussain Ahmed and 36 others were implicated in rioting by the JUI activists in Quetta on Oct 8, 2001.