PESHAWAR, Nov 30: The Peshawar High Court on Friday dismissed a provincial government petition for the transfer of the trial of a terrorism case against Tehrik Nifaz-i-Shariah Mohammadi chief Maulana Sufi Mohammad to Peshawar from Lower Dir.

The government had sought the case’s transfer citing Sufi Mohammad’s poor health and the delicate security situation as reasons.

Chief Justice Dost Mohammad Khan observed that if Sufi Mohammad had been facing problems during his travel from Peshawar, where he had been imprisoned, to Lower Dir, then he should himself contact the court for the transfer of his case.

The case in which Maulana Sufi is facing trial before an anti-terrorism court in Dir was registered on Feb 12, 2009, under sections 7 and 11-F3 of Anti-Terrorism Act.

The local police had charged him with soliciting support for his defunct organisation, arranging its meetings, and criticising and instigating the people against the Constitution and institutions of Pakistan.

Deputy Advocate General Rafiq Khan appeared for the government and said Sufi Mohammad wad detained at Peshawar Central Prison, where a judge of the Anti-Terrorism Court, Swat, had been trying him in several cases.

He said Maulana Sufi was an old man and had been facing urination problem and therefore, police had been facing difficulties in transporting him to Lower Dir and bringing him back.

Mr Rafiq said the government had several security concerns regarding Sufi Mohammad and it would be appropriate that he should not be moved out of the prison.

The chief justice observed that if Maulana Sufi was facing health problems, then he should have filed the petition for the transfer of the case instead of the state.

GHAZALA JAWED MURDER CASE: The bench ordered to transfer the case of Pashto singer Ghazala Jawed and her father’s murder from the sessions court of Peshawar to that of Swat.

The order was issued at the request of Ghazala’s sister Farhat Bibi, who is also complainant in the case.

Ghazala’s former husband Jehangir Khan is being tried for the double murder.

Ayaz Khan, lawyer for the petitioner, said her client and her family lived in Swat and therefore, she faced problems in pursuing the trial in Peshawar.

He added that her client had received threats and therefore, she couldn’t visit courts in the provincial capital.

The accused remained absconder for around two months and was arrested by police on Aug 29 at his house in Hindki Daman area.

Ghazala and her father, Jawed Khan, were gunned down on June 26 in Dabgari garden area when she had just left a beauty parlour.

The petitioner has alleged that after her sister filed a lawsuit for dissolution of marriage, the annoyed husband threatened to kill her. She claimed that she witnessed the killing.

Jehangir has denied involvement in the double murder and said he had nothing to do with Ghazala after separation.