News
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
MQM ex-MPA released in policemen’s murder caseKARACHI: Former Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) MPA Nadeem Hashmi was released on Tuesday after he was acquitted of all the charges against him, including killing of two policemen in Karachi.
Karachi police had arrested Hashmi in a murder case of two policemen Muhammad Ali and Arif in Hyderi locality, drawing strong protest from the MQM.
A joint investigation team (JIT), formed to probe charges against the MQM leader, submitted its investigation report to the Sindh police inspector general declaring him not guilty.
According to sources, Hashmi had reached MQM headquarters “Nine-Zero” in Karachi following his acquittal. Case proceedings against the MQM leader were carried out in an anti-terrorism court. On Thursday, the court had granted police a seven-day physical remand of Hashmi. However, the accused was released on Tuesday for lack of sufficient evidence against him.
The MQM coordination committee had condemned Hashmi’s arrest and termed it a conspiracy against the party. MQM chief Altaf Hussain had also questioned the legitimacy of the arrest and demanded the provincial government provide the legal grounds for Hashmi’s arrest.
The arrest of Hashmi led to scenes of violence and wide-scale closure of the city on September 11. As activities in the city came to a halt on that day, businesses, petrol pumps and shops remained closed for most of the day, while the All Private School Management Association (APSMA) had announced a closure of all private schools. Three vehicles were torched by unidentified men at Naagan Chowrangi, Gulistan-e-Jauhar and Korangi. staff report/agencies
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk