KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Tuesday directed an antiterrorism court to conclude the trial of a case pertaining to the murder of renowned social worker Perween Rahman within two months.

Ayaz Shamzai, alias Swati, Mohammad Amjad Hussain Khan, Ahmed Khan, alias Ahmed Ali alias Pappu Kashmiri, Mohammad Imran Swati and Mohammad Raheem Swati have been charged with killing Ms Rahman, director of the Orangi Pilot Project, on Manghopir Road in March 2013.

Three accused persons through their counsel moved bail applications before the SHC while an official of the legal branch of police informed the SHC that out of 29 prosecution witnesses, 19 had been examined so far.

After hearing both sides, a two-judge bench of the SHC headed by Chief Justice Ahmed Ali M. Shaikh discharged the bail applications and directed the trial court to decide the case within two months.

A case was registered under sections 302 (premeditated murder) and 34 (common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code at the Pirabad police station. Later, Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997 was incorpo­rated in the case on a directive of the Supreme Court.

Published in Dawn, November 7th, 2018