MQM leader, who is co-accused in the case, has ‘important work’ abroad. PHOTO: AFP
Akhtar, who is likely to be the city’s mayor-nominee, is nominated as a co-accused in the terrorists’ facilitation case against former petroleum minister Dr Asim Hussain.
The ATC-II judge granted permission to the MQM leader after hearing arguments on a plea he filed earlier requesting the court’s permission to ‘go to a foreign country for some important work’.
The Rangers, who is the complainant in the case, through its lawyer, opposed the move and insisted that the suspect might not come back to the country.
The judge observed, however, that Akhtar could leave but should come back within the stipulated time. He also directed Akhtar to inform the court in person about his return.
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Meanwhile, Akhtar was also granted exemption from appearing in the hearing of the case on July 22 which is scheduled for a verdict on the decision of interim bails of the co-accused.
Besides Akhtar, MQM’s Abdul Rauf Siddiqui, Pakistan Peoples Party’s Qadir Patel and Anis Kaimkhani of Pak Sarzameen Party are on interim bail as they had moved the Sindh High Court in a bid to evade arrest.
Only two suspects, Dr Asim and Pasban leader Usman Moazzam, are currently in jail in the case. Their bail was rejected by the ATC on the previous hearing.
The case pertains to providing medical treatment and refuge to alleged terrorists and militants at Ziauddin hospitals, run by Dr Asim. The political leaders have been implicated for allegedly asking the former petroleum minister to harbour and treat militants at his hospitals premises.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 28th, 2016.
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