Imprisoned mayor implores court to let him serve citizens

Imprisoned Karachi mayor Waseem Akhar said on Tuesday that he wished to serve the city but he was unable to do so because of his confinement even though he was innocent

.Akhtar was produced before an anti terrorism court regarding a hearing of four cases revolving around May 12 violence and killings. He prayed to the court to sympathetically consider his viewpoint on his release as he was keen to work as the mayor. He alleged that he was being refrained from working. He said he was facing imprisonment for last three months.

The judge observed that he had been telling the court repeatedly that he was the mayor and everyone knew about this fact, but no decision could be made on his bail until his case file and charge sheets in four cases were examined and then he could possibly be granted bail.

The court advised him not to tell the court about his status and instead try to work as the mayor from prison. The court directed the investigation officer to supply the copies of allegations and proof on the May 12 cases to the accused and fixed October 25 to hear the cases again.

Akhtar is also alleged to have acted as a facilitator while the MQM founder Altaf Hussain had addressed the women and used “negative language”. The case was registered in the Malir city police station. The counsel for Akhtar argued that Akthar had neither attended the meeting nor heard the speech. Besides, Akhtar had not play a role of any facilitators to arrange such speech.

In another provocative speech case registered at the Sachal police station, the charge sheet was submitted to the ATC-III.