KARACHI, Aug 23: The Federal Shariat Court, Karachi bench, on Monday ordered the TPO and additional SHO of Gulshan-i-Iqbal police station to appear in person before court on Aug 25, and explain their position regarding the recovery of a missing girl.

The FSC's two-member bench, comprising Justice Saeedur Rehman Furrukh and Justice S A Rabbani, took serious notice of the failure of police in tracing the whereabouts of a girl, Ms Ali Noor, who went missing since May 16, 2001.

The court was hearing the appeal of two men, Jehangir Shah and Faisal, who were sentenced to life imprisonment, along with five stripes each, by the Additional Session Court, East Karachi, on charge of kidnapping the girl.

On previous hearing, the court was told that the girl could not be recovered yet, on which, the court had directed additional SHO, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, to make all possible efforts to recover the girl.

The girl's father, Shaikh Aziz, on Monday filed an application before the court complaining that the additional SHO had meted out 'objectionable' treatment to him. The court, adjourning the hearing of the case till Aug 25, directed the police officers to appear in person before it and explain their position.

SENTENCE MODIFIED: The Federal Shariat Court, Karachi bench, on Monday dismissed the appeal of a man against conviction in rape case, but modified his sentence from 25 to 15 years.

Ali Mohammad alias Aliok was sentenced to 25-year rigorous imprisonment by the Session Court, Mirpurkhas, on Dec 23, 2003. The appeal against the conviction was filed in the FSC, in which his counsel had requested reduction in his sentence. -PPI