‘RAW-linked’ MQM worker jailed for 21 years

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Wednesday sentenced Rasheed Ahmed alias Doctor, an activist of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement – London (MQM-L), to 21 years in prison on charges of possessing illegal weapons and explosive materials.

Rasheed, who was arrested along with an accomplice by the Sindh Rangers in 2016, was accused of involvement in terrorist activities and of having connections with Indian spy agency, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).

At the time of arrest, law enforcers had recovered illegal weapons and explosive materials from the possession of the two accused. The prosecution managed to prove the charges regarding weapons and explosives and the court announced imprisonment of 21 years each for both men along with a fine of Rs50,000 each.

Safoora facilitator

Another ATC put off till April 6 the hearing against an alleged facilitator of the Safoora bus attack case, Sheeba Ahmed. 

Ahmed is out on bail and the court intended to record and examine the evidence against him regarding possession of provocative literature. However, none of the prosecution witnesses turned up for yesterday’s hearing. 

According to the case investigation officer, Ahmed was involved in assisting and financing the accused involved in the Safoora bus attack of May 2015 in which over 45 people from the Shia Ismaili community were killed and eight others critically wounded. 

The CTD police had registered a case against Sheeba Ahmed, who was said to be an activist of Tanzeem-e-Islami, at the Civil Lines police station.