SSP put on notice for leaving witness unprotected

The Senior Superintendent of Police Investigation-III, Korangi, was on Tuesday issued a show cause notice for August 26 by a local court for not providing security to prosecution witnesses who testified against former Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Saleem Shahzad. 

District and Sessions Court judge (East), Dr Shabana Waheed, who is hearing three cases against Shehzad - pertaining to ransacking, murder and violent riots - said she had already issued orders for the prosecution witnesses to be provided with protection, but the SSP Investigation appears to be unconcerned in this regard. 

Also present in court, the MQM leader submitted copies of his application seeking permission to go to UK for his medical treatment for a month. The application included details of his illness and medical treatment required

At a previous hearing three witnesses declined to identify Shehzad in a case wherein he is alleged to have attacked and set a house on fire in Landhi and for taking part in violent incidents and killings that occurred in 1992.

The witnesses said they were seeing Shahzad for the first time and it was unfair to hold him responsible for ransacking their elder brother’s house. 

However, Abdul Rasheed and another witness had their statements recorded and gave an account of the violent incidents of 1992 that Shehzad is being held responsible for. On his indictment, the MQM leader had denied the charges and pleaded not guilty.

The MQM leader is facing around five cases including one in which he is stated to be a co-accused of former petroleum minister Dr Asim Hussain. The case is pending with the anti-terrorism court (ATC). He has, however, acquired bail in all cases.

In one of the cases, he is alleged to have attacked the house of Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi (MQM-H) chief Afaq Ahmed’s brother in Landhi area. He along with others is also being tried in the Shoaibullah murder case.