KARACHI:
The anti-terrorism court (ATC) charged the defendant in the kidnapping case of Bisma Saleem on Saturday.
The court also summoned witnesses at the next trial after the defendants denied the charges against them.
The court directed the accused and witnesses to confirm attendance at the next hearing on March 30.
One defendant, Agha Mansoor, was declared in the case, while the other defendants, Muzaffar alias Mozi, Fayaz Solangi, Tariq Zohaib Qureshi and Waseem Raja were detained.
According to the police, the defendants kidnapped Dua Mangi and Bisma Saleem and collected ransoms for their release.
The Uzair Baloch case
Separately, ATC summoned witnesses at the next trial of the murder case registered against gangster Lyari Uzair Baloch, who was presented before the court.
The prosecutor presented his witnesses before the court who recorded his statement.
The witness stated that he had taken Ali’s body from the hospital.
The court summoned more witnesses at the next trial and postponed trials until April 10.
According to the police, Uzair Baloch and Zafar Baloch were nominated as suspects in the case registered at the Kalri Police.
Terrorist facilitation
In addition, the court directed all defendants to ensure attendance at the next hearing of cases relating to terrorist medical facilitation.
An ATC is listening to the case at the Karachi Central Prison.
Former Karachi mayor Wasim Akhtar and leader of the Muttahida Qaumi-Pakistan Movement Rauf Siddiqui appeared before the court, while other accused, including Dr Asim’s wife, Qadir Patel and Anis Qaimkhani, were absent.
Lawyers for the defendants, who were not present at the trial, requested the release of their respective clients from attending the trial of the case.
Government lawyers also pleaded the defense that the witness did not want to record his testimony.
The court directed all defendants and witnesses to confirm attendance at the next hearing on April 10.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 21st, 2021.