KARACHI, Dec 23 An additional district and sessions judge (south) on Tuesday sentenced a man to five years in prison in a robbery case.

The court found accused Faisal Khan guilty of committing the robbery in a public call office within the limits of Baghdadi police station in 2004.

The judge, Zameer Ahmed Tunio, pronounced his verdict after recording the final arguments of the defence and the prosecution counsel.

The court observed that the prosecution had produced ample evidence and witnesses that proved its case beyond any shadow of doubt.

According to the prosecution, on Feb 20, 2004, accused Faisal entered the PCO in Baghdadi area, took the owner, Habibullah, hostage at gunpoint and fled after looting Rs10,000 and other valuables. Later, the police arrested the accused and registered a case under Section 393 of the Pakistan Penal Code.

The accused was sent back to the prison to serve the term.

Forex scam

The District and Sessions Judge (south), Faheem Siddiqui, adjourned the hearing on the bail applications of three suspects allegedly involved in a money laundering case till Dec 26 due to the absence of the FIA's counsel.

The FIA had arrested Abdul Munaf Kalia, his brother, Hanif Kalia, and Javed Khanani on charges of illegally transferring billions of dollars abroad. Later, they were remanded in judicial custody.

On Tuesday, the FIA officials sought adjournment as their counsel, Amir Raza Naqvi, was busy in some other cases.

In the meantime, appearing on behalf of suspect Hanif Kalia, Advocate Shaukat Hayat said that on Dec 18 the court directed the jail authorities to shift his client to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) and provide him necessary medical treatment.

However, he said that the authorities had violated the court's order and produced his client before a panel of doctors instead of admitting him to the JPMC. He said that the doctors were also of the view that the suspect must be hospitalised to determine his medical reports.

The judge directed the jail superintendent to immediately shift Hanif Kalia to the JPMC.

The court also directed the FIA to supply the statements and the copies of evidence to the suspects and submit final charge-sheet till Jan 9.

The suspects were booked in a case (76/08) under Sections 5/8, 22/23 of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1947 read with Sections 7, 8 & 20 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Ordinance, 2007 and Sections 420, 467, 471, 477-A of the Pakistan Penal Code at the FIA crimes circle, Karachi.

Warrants for policemen

Judicial Magistrate (south) Asif Ahmed on Tuesday reissued bailable warrants for the arrest of 15 policemen and officials for not appearing in court to testify in a case pertaining to a physical assault on former chief minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim in the Sindh Assembly.

The court also reissued summons for the former CM directing him to appear in court and record his testimony on the next date of hearing.

The court directed the police authorities to produce the witnesses in court on Jan 17.

The case was registered against Agha Javed Pathan. He was arrested on April 9 on charges of manhandling the former CM and a case (FIR 202/08) was registered at Preedy police station under Sections 502, 452, 506-B 337-A and F of the Pakistan Penal Code.