MQM-London activist acquitted in Haqiqi worker’s murder case

KARACHI: A model court acquitted on Tuesday an accused, said to be an activist of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-London, of the charges of kidnapping and murdering a rival MQM-Haqiqi activist.

Syed Mohammad Farhan Haider, alias Tool, was exonerated from the charges of kidnapping Mohammad Azhar Khan and murdering him in April 2008.

The additional district and sessions’ judge, Haleem Ahmed, of the model criminal trial court (East) pronounced his judgement reserved after recording evidence and final arguments from both sides.

According to the prosecution, the victim went missing after he left his home on April 29, 2008 to visit a paan shop. Later, his body was found from a well situated behind a military dairy farm in the area, it added.

The prosecution further said that the police arrested Farhan Haider, said to be an activist of the MQM-Altaf group.

State prosecutor Mohammad Anwar Mehar contended that during the interrogation Haider had allegedly confessed to have kidnapped Azhar Khan along with his accomplices — Nadeem and Osama — since he belonged to the rival MQM-H group and used to interfere in local political affairs.

The victim, who was married and working as a real estate agent in the area, was issueless, he added.

He claimed that the accused was arrested in 2020 and an eyewitness had identified him as the person, who was last seen with the victim. Therefore, he asked the court to punish him in accordance with the law.

On the other hand, defence counsel Abid Akram and Ms Humaira contended that there was no evidence to prove the allegations levelled against their client by the prosecution. They asked the court to acquit him of the false and fabricated charges.

A case under Sections 302 (premeditated murder), 365 (kidnapping) and 34 (common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code was registered at the Khokhrapar police station on the complaint of the victim’s brother, Mohammad Muzaffar Khan.

Suspect remanded in minor girl’s rape case

A judicial magistrate on Tuesday remanded in judicial custody a suspect detained for allegedly raping a minor girl.

Police arrested and booked the man for allegedly sexually assaulting his 10-year-old Christian neighbour in an Esa Nagri locality on May 4.

On Tuesday, the investigating officer produced the suspect before the judicial magistrate (East) upon expiry of his physical remand in police custody and requested extension in the same for interrogation.

The IO informed that the suspect is a Muslim neighbour of the victim.

The minor girl used to visit his home for taking tuition classes from a sister of the suspect.

On the day of the incident, the suspect allegedly subjected her to a sexual assault when she came to his house for studies, he added.

The IO said extension in custody of the suspect was required for interrogation and completion of investigation and other legal formalities. Therefore, he requested for extension in physical remand of the suspect.

However, the judge remanded the suspect in judicial custody directing the IO to produce him on the next date along with an investigation report.

After the incident, the victim’s relatives and neighbours had reportedly surrounded the suspect’s house, but he had managed to flee to avoid wrath of the charged mob.

This had reportedly infuriated the protesters, who turned violent and blocked roads. Some four policemen were reportedly injured during the protest.

Later, the suspect was arrested and booked in a case registered at the PIB Police Station.