Perween Rehman murder case hearing put off till Dec 6

An anti-terrorism court adjourned on Wednesday the hearing of Orangi Pilot Project Director Parveen Rehman’s murder case till December 6.

Raheem Swati, the key accused in the case, was produced before the court.

The investigation officer told the court that two of the accused, Noor Muhammad and Ahsanuddin, had been declared proclaimed offenders.

The two accused were also declared proclaimed offenders in cases pertaining to attempt to murder, possession of illegal arms and police encounter, the officer added. Because no prosecution witnesses appeared before the court, it adjourned the hearing till December 6.

Swati is also facing cases pertaining to attempt to murder and possession of illegal arms and explosives. On November 8, a judge of the anti-terrorism court had indicted the key accused, Rahim Swati, for the murder of Perween Rahman. He, however, denied all charges and pleaded not guilty, upon which the court ordered the prosecution to produce its witnesses at the next hearing.

According to prosecution, Swati along with five accomplices had murdered Perween in March 13, 2013, near her office while she was on her way back home. 

Two of the accused, Noor Muhammad and Ahsanuddin, were declared proclaimed offenders in the murder case. An architect, urban planner and social activists, Perween had been working against the land and water mafia in the city. The under detention accused, Swati, had already been provided with copies of the allegations levelled in the charge-sheet.

The absconders, Noor Muhammad and Ahsanullah, were also facing cases pertaining to police encounter, possession of illicit weapons and attempted murder. The court was informed that both the accused were at large and despite all efforts they could not be arrested as yet. The court then ordered to initiate proceedings against the two accused (for confiscation of movable and immoveable properties) since they had now been declared offenders. 

Another two absconding accused were said to have had previous associations with the Awami National Party (ANP), they later joined the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban. It was said, that Perween was killed by the men because of her strong opposition to illegal occupation of lands of the OPP.