LONDON: Islamabad’s Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) No 1 has published an advertisement in The Guardian declaring as proclaimed offender the London-based founder of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in the murder case of Dr Imran Farooq.
It’s understood that the legal notice in The Guardian has been published by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) asking Altaf Hussain to appear in the court of judge, ATC No 1, Islamabad, within 30 days of the publication of the notice. Altaf Hussain has faced hundreds of cases in Pakistan but it’s for the first time that Pakistani authorities have such an effort, using an esteemed English daily.
The Guardian notice seeks the MQM founder to appear before the ATC under section 87 CrPC. It’s understood that the same notice will be delivered to the mentioned address of the MQM founder and in case of non-appearance further action will be taken.
The same court had earlier issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Altaf Hussain during a hearing of MQM leader Dr Imran Farooq's murder case in Adiala Jail. ATC Judge Shahrukh Arjumand, who heard the case, had ordered the FIA to arrest and present Altaf Hussain in court, delaying the indictment of the arrested suspects — Syed Mohsin Ali, Moazzam Ali and Khalid Shamim — who are being held in Adiala Jail in connection with the planning and murder of Dr Imran Farooq.
The notice published in The Guardian carries the name of same judge “Shahrukh Arjumand” of “special anti-terrorism court No.1, Islamabad”. The proclamation notice reads: “Whereas complaint has been made that accused person Altaf Hussain son of Nazir Hussain, resident of 90, Azizabad Karachi, presently resident of 54-58 first floor Elizabeth House, High Street, Edgware, Middlesex, HA8 7EJ, United Kingdom, has committed (or is suspected to have committed) the offences in case no FIR No. 01/2015 dated 05/12/2015 under Section 302/120B/34/109 PPC, 7 ATA Police Station Counter Terrorism Wing, FIA Islamabad, and whereas it has been returned to the warrant of arrest thereupon issued that accused person Altaf Hussain has absconded (or concealing himself to avoid the services of the said warrant).
“Proclamation is hereby made that said Altaf Hussain S/o Nazir Hussain, resident of 90, Azizabad Karachi and presently resident of 54-58 first floor Elizabeth House, High Street, Edgware, Middlesex, HA8 7EJ, United Kingdom, accused person of above mentioned case as FIR is required to appear in this court to answer the said complaint within 30 days from the date of publication.
