HYDERABAD, Dec 7: The Suppression of Terrorist Activities court here on Tuesday framed charges against Hakim Ali Zardari, father of President Asif Ali Zardari, and other co-accused in the double-murder case of former federal secretary Alam Baloch and his gunman Imdad Baloch.

Hakim Zardari and Abdul Hafeez Zardari are exempted from appearance under the high court's order, according to their counsel Hashim Leghari.A sessions judge holds trial of STA cases.

Alam Baloch along with his gunman was murdered on Sept 18,1997, on the Wadhu Wah road when he was returning home after attending hearing of a land dispute case in the Sindh High Court's Hyderabad circuit bench.

The case was lodged against Asif Ali Zardari, who was acquitted, his father Hakim Zardari and Ansari brothers at Qasimabad police station.

Three motorcyclists gunned down Alam Baloch and his gunman Imdad as a result of a dispute over 501 acres of agricultural land in Tando Allahyar. Imdad died instantly while Alam Baloch breathed his last on his way to hospital.

Ramzan Almani had lodged a case at Qasimabad police station against Asif Ali Zardari, his father Hakim Zardari, the former MNA, Abdul Shakoor Ansari, Abdul Hafeez Ansari, Abdul Lateef Ansari, Allah Dad alias Porho Khan Zardari, Ghulam Nabi Zardari, Allah Wasayo Zardari and Zawar Ghulam Hyder. The names of co-accused Nawab Leghari, Zafar Mirani and Allah Dad Zardari were disclosed during investigation.

The case was earlier charge-sheeted in STA court, but it was transferred to the sessions court on May 29,1999, following abolition of STA courts in Sindh during caretaker regime in 1997. Since then it was pending here.

Not a single accused has been examined. Asif Zardari has been acquitted in the case while other accused are on bail.

The land dispute case is pending in an appellate court after the case was rejected by lower court. Possession of the land is currently lying with Ansari family under a high court order.

Porho Zardari has died in India during kidney ailment. Their applications for acquittal have already been dismissed by sessions judge, holding that it was premature to file the plea and it could be filed at a later stage when the case proceeds.

Defence counsel Hashim Leghari said that the prosecution failed to examine witnesses and complainant and there was no probability that the case would result in conviction of the accused.

Advocate Ahmed Ali Shaikh represents Zawar Ghulam Hyder. He had also field acquittal plea that too was dismissed by the court.

Deputy district public prosecutor Erum Ahmed said that there was no delay on the part of prosecution and it was basically the accused who did not turn up in court, which had delayed the matter.

Zawar Ghulam Hyder, Abdul Latif Ansari, Abdul Shakoor Ansari, Allah Wasayo and Ghulam Nabi Zardari, who are on pre-arrest bail were in attendance.

The case was adjourned till Jan 8.