LAHORE, April 19: An anti-terrorism court on Saturday started recording the evidence against Dr Ahmad Javed Khwaja and his brother Ahmad Naveed Khwaja.

Head Constable Mohammad Ayub and Constable Khalid Javed testified against the accused.

The head constable claimed that on Dec 19, 2002, the investigating officer concerned had given him a Klashnikov and a 30-bore pistol, which were allegedly recovered from the possession of the accused. The witness said he was also given some bullet shells, which had allegedly come from those weapons.

The constable said that he received those items from the head constable and forwarded it to the forensic laboratory for examination. However, the forensic expert raised an objection and returned the items, which were again sent to the laboratory later on, he informed the court.

In their cross-examination by the counsel for defence, Pervez Inayat Malik, both the witnesses refused to admit that no weapon was recovered from the accused or that it took the Manawan police more than two weeks to come up with a fake case in this regard.

The proceedings would resume on April 25.

The Khwajas allegedly opened fire on a police party, and were found to have illegal passports of four foreigners in their possession.

While indicting the accused, the court refused to incorporate in the chargesheet the allegation that the accused had links with Al Qaeda activists on grounds that the prosecution had failed to furnish it with the incriminating evidence.