Karachi
An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Friday issued non-bailable warrants (NBWs) of arrest against Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain and others senior leaders of the party in the Shahid Hamid murder case.
Another accused of the murder, Muhammad Mnhaj Qazi alias Asad, was produced before the court and was provided copies of the case’ documents so charges could be framed against him in the next hearing. The charge-sheet presented against Qazi alias Asad before an ATC, for the murder of the managing director of the then Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) Shahid Hamid, had nominated the MQM chief and another senior leaders of the party including Nadeem Nusrat, Athar and Sohail Zaidi.
The IO of the case, Sarwer Commando, had informed the court that Hussain, Nusrat, Athar and Sohail were absconding, whereas another accused Rashid Akhtar alias Shaikh were not known.
He further informed the court that another alleged MQM activist Saulat Mirza was convicted of the murder in 1998 and was hanged last year in May.
According to the charge-sheet, under detention accused Muhammad Minhaj Qazi alias Asad had claimed that Shahid Hamid was killed on directives of the MQM chief and Nusrat.
He was gunned down along with his driver and guard on July 5, 1997 in the Defence Housing Authority (DHA).
According to prosecution, the then SHO of Gulbahar police station, Mohammad Aslam Khan also known as Chaudhry Aslam, had arrested Mirza in December 1998 from the Karachi airport. During investigation Mirza had confessed to the murder of the KESC chief and had also named his accomplices.
The prosecution alleged that the offence was carried out to avenge the removal of MQM supporters from the KESC by the then MD.