LAHORE: A lawyer affiliated with PTI has been handed over to military authorities for his trial over his alleged involvement in the attack on the Lahore corps commander’s residence on May 9.
Additional Advocate General Ghulam Sarwar Nahang told Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday that Advocate Haider Majeed was declared a proclaimed offender (PO) in a case registered in Sarwar Road police station regarding the attack.
The law officer submitted a report on behalf of the police during the hearing of a habeas corpus petition filed by the advocate’s father Muhammad Majeed.
The report said Mr Haider — along with PTI chairman Imran Khan’s nephew Hassaan Khan Niazi — was arrested from Abbottabad’s Mirpur police station area by Sarwar Road police.
Punjab govt says Haider Majeed was ‘wanted’ for May 9 attacks, remand of key PTI leaders extended
The report submitted by Mr Nahang said two letters were received from a commanding officer of the military, demanding the custody of both Mr Haider and Mr Niazi for “investigation and inquiry”.
Mr Majeed’s custody was demanded as he was allegedly found involved in offences under the Official Secrets Act, 1923, read with sections 2(1)(d) and 59(4) of the Pakistan Army Act, 1952.
Later, Justice Sultan Tanvir Ahmad adjourned the hearing till Tuesday (today) for further arguments.
Mr Majeed was the second lawyer affiliated with the PTI to be handed over to the military for trial in less than a week.
Last week, the caretaker Punjab government informed the LHC that Barrister Niazi has been handed over to the military for trial over his alleged involvement in the attack on the Lahore corps commander’s house on May 9.
The statement was made during the hearing of a habeas corpus petition filed by Hafeezullah Khan Niazi, the lawyer’s father.
The petitioner’s counsel argued Mr Niazi was unlawfully handed over to the military as he was supposed to be produced before an anti-terrorism court first.
He argued police were not the competent authority to directly hand over the custody of a civilian to military authorities.
Earlier in May, a Rawalpindi Anti-Terrorism Court ordered the handover of eight people be given to military authorities for their suspected involvement in attacks on the General Headquarters and Army Museum as well as the desecration of Martyrs’ Monuments during the May 9 attacks.
The suspects who were handed over to the military included Mohammad Idrees, Umar Farooq, Raja Mohammad Ehsan, Mohammad Abdullah, Ali Hussain, Lal Shah, Sheheryar Zulfiqar and Farhad Khan.
PTI leaders’ remand extended
In a separate development, an anti-terrorism court on Monday extended the judicial remand of PTI leaders Dr Yasmin Rashid, former Punjab governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema, former provincial minister Mian Mahmoodur Rashid and fashion designer Khadija Shah in cases related to May 9 attacks.
The PTI leaders were presented before the court on the expiry of their judicial remand in multiple cases. Mr Cheema used a wheelchair as he was unable to walk due to a medical condition.
The investigation officers told the court that the challans (investigation reports) were being prepared and more time was required for their submission.
Judge Ejaz Ahmad Buttar allowed the police’s request and extended the judicial remand till Sept 1.
The suspects have been booked in cases registered against attacks on the Lahore corps commander’s house, Askari Tower, Shadman police station and party offices of the PML-N in Model Town.
Published in Dawn, August 22nd, 2023
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