MQM's former KTC chief Hammad Siddiqui declared absconder by ATC
KARACHI: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Tuesday declared the former chief of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Karachi Tanzeemi Committee (KTC), Hammad Siddiqui, as absconder pertaining to a case involving a gun attack on the rally of a nationalist party.
The hearing for the case was presided over by Justice Saleem Raza Baloch of ATC-III.
The Investigation Officer (IO) of the case informed the court that a previously arrested individual, Amir Ali alias Sarphata, confirmed that Hammad Siddiqui had ordered the attack on the rally. The IO added that multiple suspects were involved in the crime, as confirmed by Amir who is in custody.
The court directed the relevant authorities to arrest the suspects, and produce them into court. The next hearing of the case was adjourned until October 6.
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An anti-terrorism court had issued a warrant for the arrest of Hammad Siddiqui, and others in a case pertaining to the gun attack, according to a Dawn newspaper report published on August 12.
According to the prosecution, the Awami Tehreek took out a ‘Love Sindh Rally’ from Lyari to march towards the Karachi Press Club on May 22, 2012. When the procession was passing through Napier Road, it was attacked by gunmen, killing six people, including a woman, and wounding nine others.
A case was registered under sections 302 (premeditated murder), 324 (attempted murder) 353 (criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and 34 (common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code and Section 4/5 of the Explosive Substances Act read with Section 7 of the Anti-terrorism Act, 1997 at the Kharadar police station.