ATC declares Qadri, two sons and others proclaimed offenders

LAHORE: Anti-terrorism court judge Rai Ayub Khan Marth declared PAT chief Dr Tahirul Qadri and his both sons as proclaimed offenders in the cases registered against them on the charges of inciting violence against the state and attacking police officials. The court Wednesday directed investigation officer of the case to mark names of accused with red pencil in the challan, mentioning them as proclaimed offenders.
The court has declared Dr Tahirul Qadri, Hassan Mohiyuddin and Hussain Mohiyuddin (both sons of Qadri), PAT President Raheeq Abbasi, Secretary General Khurram Nawaz Gandapur, Sh Fayyaz and Shabbir Fayyaz as proclaimed offenders.
Previously on January 26, the court had started proceedings against PAT chief Dr Tahirul Qadri and others to declare them proclaimed offenders. The accused are nominated in three different FIRs - 661, 662 and 663/14 - registered with Faisal Town Police Station in connection with the Model Town incident under Sections 302/34, 324, 353, 148,149, 290, 291 of Pakistan Penal Code and 7-Anti-Terrorism Act 1997.
The ATC had directed the court officials to paste notices on their residences and at different places along with publishing court notices in newspapers for informing them to appear in person before the court.
It was stated in orders that in case of a failure to comply with the orders within a 30-day period, the court will declare them proclaimed offenders after recording the officials’ statements. However, none of accused appeared before the court despite passing of one month. After which, the court declared them proclaimed offenders in the cases. The court had started proceedings against the accused on an application moved by the joint investigation team which stated that they raided different places to arrest them but could not find them.
The team said the accused were in hiding and intentionally avoiding becoming part of investigation and appearing before the court. Earlier on November 26, last year, the same court had issued perpetual warrants for Gandapur, Altaf Shah and other party leaders in a case registered against them for attacking police during the Model Town incident after they failed to appear in person despite being summoned and issuance of arrest warrants repeatedly.