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RAWALPINDI, Feb 03 (APP): The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC), Rawalpindi has adjourned the hearing of the GHQ attack case against former PTI Chairman, former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and 120 other accused persons without any proceedings until February 17.
Meanwhile, the accused including Shireen Mazari and other former ministers appeared before the court. After marking their attendance.
In a separate case related to the November 26 protest registered at Sadiqabad Police Station, the court has issued non-bailable arrest warrants against Aleema Khanum and her two sureties due to their continuous absence. The court also issued a show-cause notice to SP Rawal Division for failing to execute the previously issued warrants.
During the hearing on Tuesday, Aleema’s counsel Faisal Malik and Special Prosecutor Zaheer Shah were present. The prosecution pointed out that despite the issuance of non-bailable warrants, the accused failed to appear again. The defense counsel filed an exemption application stating that Aleema Khanum was in Lahore and could not appear due to jail visitations at Adyala.
The prosecution informed the court that out of 42 hearings in the case so far, the accused has appeared in only 14 and remained absent in 28, which shows attempts to delay the trial. The prosecution further submitted that the trial has been underway for over 120 days and cannot be allowed to proceed at the accused’s convenience.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the court rejected the exemption application.
Expressing strong displeasure over non-execution of the warrants, the court issued a showcause notice to SP Rawal Division asking for an explanation as to why the warrants were not executed.
Moreover, the court issued non-bailable arrest warrants against Aleema’s two sureties, and the SHO Sadiqabad Police Station was directed to arrest them and produce them before the court. The next hearing was adjourned to Wednesday.