Shakil Afridi case: Tribunal issues notices to PA Khyber, SPP

Published November 5, 2013
The chairman of the tribunal Shah Wali after hearing the arguments of Dr Afridi's lawyer adjourned the case till Nov 27 and served notices to Political Agent of Khyber tribal region and the SPP. — File Photo
The chairman of the tribunal Shah Wali after hearing the arguments of Dr Afridi's lawyer adjourned the case till Nov 27 and served notices to Political Agent of Khyber tribal region and the SPP. — File Photo

PESHAWAR: The Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) Tribunal hearing the case of Dr Shakil Afridi — who helped the CIA track down former Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden — on Tuesday issued notices to Political Agent of Khyber tribal region and special public prosecutor seeking reasons as to why the record of the case had not been produced despite earlier orders issued on Oct 30.

The chairman of the tribunal Shah Wali after hearing arguments of Afridi's lawyer adjourned the case to Nov 27 and served notices to Political Agent of Khyber tribal region and the SPP to appear at the coming hearing and also directed them to submit all relevant records pertaining to the case.

Advocate Samiullah Afridi, who is the counsel for Dr Afridi, said the authorities had failed to produce the record which led to the case's adjournment, adding that “the political administration has assured to supplement the record within a few days' time after which the retrial will properly begin”.

The tribunal on Oct 30 had directed the authorities to submit the entire record of Dr Afridi's case by Nov 5 but no record has so far been produced.

Dr Afridi is in solitary confinement in the Peshawar Central Prison since his conviction and sentencing.

Earlier last month, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had said that the issue of Dr Shakil Afridi was sub judice and the court would decide it according to Pakistani law.

A tribal court had convicted Dr Afridi and sentenced him to 33 years last year in May of being involved in anti-state activities and supporting the Bara-based Lashkar-i-Islam.

A judicial official overturned the 33-year jail sentence in August this year but Dr Afridi remains in detention.

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