KARACHI: An antiterrorism court (ATC) on Monday directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to take over and auction properties valued at around Rs32,420,000 purchased by Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour (using fake identities before his killing in a 2016 drone attack) in Karachi.

The court also directed the agency to submit a report on the proclamation and attachment of properties of the slain Taliban leader’s two alleged accomplices, who are absconding in an alleged terror financing and money laundering case filed in July 2019.

The FIA had booked Mullah Mansour, aliases Mohammad Wali and Gul Mohammad, Akhtar Mohammad and Amaar in a case lodged under Section 11H (pertaining to fundraising and money laundering) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, read with sections 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating) and 471 (using as genuine a forged document) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

Since January, the court has been directing the IO to submit a report regarding completion of the process of attachment of the slain Taliban leader’s properties and proclamation of his two alleged absconding accomplices — Akhtar Mohammad and Amaar — under sections 87 and 88 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Mullah Akhtar Mansour had bought five properties, including plots and houses, in the city

On Monday, the matter came up before the ATC-II judge for submission of a report by the FIA investigating officer regarding the completion of process of attachment of properties reportedly owned by Mullah Mansour.

The Taliban leader was reportedly killed in a drone strike at the Pak-Iran border on May 21, 2016.

IO Rehmatullah Domki filed a report regarding the completion of the process of publication of around five properties, including plots, flats and houses, unearthed by the FIA to have been purchased by the Taliban leader before his death. He also recorded his statement in this regard.

The judge expressed satisfaction on the statement of the FIA investigator that Mullah Mansour, now deceased, had the properties — mentioned in the report — in his fake names.

Therefore, the judge directed the court’s Nazir (official) to seal and take over the properties of the slain Taliban leader, as mentioned by the IO in his report.

The judge further ordered the Nazir to publicise the properties (valued at around Rs32,420,000) in three leading newspapers for their auction.

The judge noted that the reports regarding completion of the process of proclamation of the alleged absconders and attachment of their properties were still not received from the commissioners of Peshawar and Quetta.

The IO was directed to submit replies of the deputy commissioners of Peshawar and Quetta on the next date of hearing. The hearing was adjourned till May 5.

Published in Dawn, April 21st, 2020