LHC withdraws red warrants for Hashmi

LAHORE
JUSTICE Mazhar Iqbal Sidhu of the Lahore High Court on Friday withdrew red warrants earlier issued for Evacuee Trust Property Board’s (ETPB) former chairman Asif Hashmi in a corruption case.
Judge observed that no accused could be deprived of his right of defending himself and directed Hashmi to appear before trial court within a month.
Judge on May 15 had reserved the decision on application of Asif Hashmi seeking withdrawal of red warrants.
Asif Hashmi, who is now in Dubai was accused of selling the ETPB 1,946 kanal land to DHA on 25 percent exemption basis in 2009, whereas same land was recommended by former ETPB chairman Gen Zulfiqar Ali Khan on 33 percent exemption basis to DHA in 2001. The land was situated in Dera Chahal, Lidher and Mota and difference of 8 percent caused loss of Rs2 billion while another 225 kanals was evacuated from DHA which was occupied with the connivance of ETPB officials and Hashmi team.
Petitioner counsel Mian Hanif Tahir said that issuance of red warrants was violation of Interpol rules.
He said the trial court had not declared Hashmi absconder and had not issued his permanent arrest warrants.
He said that in these circumstances the issuance of red warrants was against the law of the land. He requested the court to declare the red warrants illegal.