ATC warns IO of strict action if witnesses not produced in Saddar IED blast case

An anti-terrorism court has issued bailable arrest warrants for prosecution witnesses in a case pertaining to an IED blast in Saddar, warning that strict action will be taken against the investigation officer in case they are not produced in court.

Sabir Kharal, said to be associated with the outlawed Sindhudesh Revolutionary Army (SRA), has been charged with the May 12, 2022 blast on Daud Pota Road that killed a passer-by and wounded several others.

As the case came up for hearing before the ATC-XII judge, the accused was produced from jail. No prosecution witness was in attendance. The judge ordered issuance of bailable warrants for the remaining prosecution witnesses. “In case of failure, strict action shall be taken as per law against the IO as the prosecution and investigation [officer] are responsible to ensure production of PWs on each and every date as per relevant law,” he said.

An FIR was registered under Sections 302 (premeditated murder), 324 (attempted murder), 121 (waging or attempting to wage war or abetting waging of war against Pakistan), and 427 (mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees) of the Pakistan Penal Code and sections 3 and 4 of the Explosive Substance Act read with sections 11-N and 11-I of the Anti-Terrorism Act by the Counter-Terrorism Department.

In April last year, accused Sabir was acquitted in a case lodged by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) for possessing a hand grenade within the jurisdiction of the Kalri police station in May 2022.