SHC orders formation of JIT for recovery of Zardari’s aides

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Thursday directed the home department to constitute a joint investigation team to ascertain the whereabouts of Ghulam Qadir Mari, a close associate of former president and Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, and three others, and submit the progress report.

Ismail Mari, brother of Qadir Mari, approached the SHC for the recovery of his brother who, along with three others, including Khan Mohammad, Mehboob Khaskheli and Javed Rahmo, had gone missing. The vehicle of his brother was found abandoned near the Jamshoro Thermal Power House while returning from Naudero.

He said that neither his brother was produced before any court of law nor detail of cases were being provided to the family. He sought release of the detainees if they were not required in other cases.

The SSP Jamshoro filed the progress report regarding efforts to recover the detainees. He submitted that close circuit cameras at the Toll Plaza were out of order and a mobile phone of one Javeed Rahmo was sent to forensic laboratory for tests. Investigation officer submitted that he had sent letters to home department for the constitution of JIT. However, the home department representative submitted that the letter had not been received yet.

The SHC’s division bench, headed by Justice Irfan Saadat Khan, directed the SSP Jamshoro to appear in person and submit a fresh progress report regarding efforts being made to recover the detainees. The court also directed the home department to constitute joint investigation team within 15 days and adjourned the hearing till May 18. The Rangers also filed their statement denying arrest or detention of the detainees.