Summary Rangers have approached the court to halt replacement of the public prosecutor
KARACHI (Dunya News) – Terror accused former petroleum minister Dr Asim Hussain on Monday has been presented before the anti-terrorism court (ATC) where investigation officer argued for his innocence saying that there is no witness or testament.
The investigation officer filed a report in the ATC. Deputy Superintendent of Police said that the former investigation officer was biased and did not shoulder his responsibilities.
The officer said that the case has been made Class-A due to lack of witnesses and statements. The ATC has reserved verdict on investigation officer’s report and will give out today around 4pm.
Hussain said that he is an ex-military officer and he had to face a media-trial. In his statement in the court, Hussain said that his life is under threat. However, he said he could sacrifice his life for the country.
Following a notification issued after approval from Chief Minister (CM) Qaim Ali Shah, Nisar Ahmed Durrani has replaced Mushtaq Jahangir as special public prosecutor. Administrative judge of the anti-terrorism courts (ATCs), Justice Naimatullah Phalphuto is hearing the case.
Separately, Sindh High Court (SHC) heard plea filed by Dr Asim’s mother against the Rangers and that of Rangers against the Sindh government. Rangers and the Sindh government have come face to face in the terror case against the former minister.
A two-member bench heard plea of Pakistan Rangers officer Inayatullah Durrani. The plea stated that the government is constantly interfering in the case which is hindering the progress. The Rangers demanded the court to bar the government from involvement.
The SHC adjourned the hearing until Tuesday and ordered to present Justice Ahmed Ali Sheikh’s verdict’s copy.
On the other hand, the court postponed hearing of plea filed by Dr Asim’s mother owing to absence of her counsel. However, Dr Asim’s mother said that paramilitary force is pressurizing investigation officer and must be stopped.
Meanwhile, locals gathered outside the court and raised slogans in favour of the Rangers and targeted operation. Rangers’ supporters held banners with anti-Dr Asim scripts written on them.
On December 20, Rangers had filed a plea in the SHC demanding to stop Sindh government from replacing Mushtaq Jahangir. The former special prosecutor also approached the court in this regard.
Earlier, accountability court (AC) had extended Dr Asim’s remand by seven days. In a series of recent events, Dr Asim was declared innocent by the Sindh Police in the terror case. The ATC had given the terror accused in National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
The NAB attained remand of the alleged culprit from the accountability court. After the 14-day remand expired, the bureau approached the court and pled for extension. The former federal minister was handed over to NAB again for seven more days.
Dr Asim is accused of providing shelter to terrorists, gang war criminals and target killers of political parties. The accused owns a hospital in Karachi where terrorists alleged used to get medical treatment.
During one of the hearing in the recent past, Dr Asim had maintained before the court that the receipts acquired by law enforcers from his hospitals are bogus. The terror accused has denied the charges ever since a case was registered in the North Nazimabad Police Station.
The case holds immense importance in the current scenario of the country as the accused has been in close quarters with the former president Asif Ali Zardari while the law enforcers and anti-corruption bodies are apparently trying to hunt him down and for the purpose, Asim was nabbed.
Zardari is presently residing in Dubai and there are reports that he would not participate in his late wife Benazir Bhutto s death anniversary ceremony on December 27 at Garhi Shahu as he suspects arrest.
