PHC suspends 14 years sentence

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court on Monday suspended 14 years sentence to a man convicted on terrorism charges and ordered his release on bail. A single bench of Justice Mussarat Hilali suspended the conviction and transferred the case to District and Sessions Judge, Khyber district for deciding it.

During hearing, Tafseel Khan Afridi, counsel for the petitioner, submitted that Assistant Political Agent (now assistant commissioner), Bara, Khyber district had awarded 14 years sentence to Akhtar Wali, several years ago under the Frontier Crimes Regulation and fine of Rs20,000 on charges of having links with a banned militant organisation.

The lawyer said that there was no solid evidence against the convict and he was innocent as political administration convicted him without proof under the FCR, which has been abolished after merger of tribal districts with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The lawyer prayed before the court to set aside the conviction and release the convict on bail.