Sindh Govt Considers Appeal in Rao Anwar Extrajudicial Killing Case
The Sindh government is considering whether to challenge an antiterrorism court’s acquittal of former SSP Rao Anwar and 17 subordinates in a case of extrajudicial killing.
A committee is reviewing the judgement on legal and technical grounds, with a recommendation to be reviewed by an additional prosecutor general. The process could take some time, as the government still has time to file an appeal.
The acquittal was given on Jan 23, 2021, by ATC-XVI judge by giving benefit of doubt, from the charges of kidnapping for ransom and then killing Naqeeb and three others by dubbing them as militants of banned outfits in a staged encounter on Jan 13, 2018.
Peshawar High Court grants bail to MNA Ali Wazir in sedition case
Peshawar High Court grants bail to MNA Ali Wazir in sedition case, stops police from arresting him in other cases. Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim granted bail with the condition of two surety bonds of Rs500,000 each.
Another bench consisting of Justice Attique Shah and Justice Syed Arshad Ali stopped police from arresting him in any other cases in the province and fixed Feb 13 for the next hearing. Wazir had requested the bench to order the quashing of around 11 FIRs registered against him in different districts.
The cases were related to promoting enmity between different groups, waging or attempting to wage war or abetting waging of war against Pakistan, conspiracy to commit offences punishable by Section 121, and sedition.
Mother Demands Arrest of Alleged Blackmailer in Honour Killing Case
A mother in Charsadda, Pakistan is seeking justice for her daughter who was shot dead by her father in an honour-related incident.
The woman claims that a man named Luqman from Karak district is responsible for her daughter’s murder as he allegedly uploaded a video of her dancing on social media.
The woman says that Lugman had previously made marriage proposals to her daughter, but when she refused, he began blackmailing her, and ultimately uploaded the video with a fake ID. The father of the victim, Bakhtiar Gul, has been granted bail before arrest from a local court.
Initial report suspects illegal factory fumes caused deaths in Keamari
18 people died and dozens more were hospitalized in Keamari, Pakistan due to suspected toxic fumes from illegal factories.
Health and environmental investigators suspect the fumes from factories illegally extracting iron from ore and melting plastic caused respiratory distress, sore throat, and fever to residents in Ali Muhammad Goth.
The authorities have sealed six factories so far and over 20 factory owners have fled the area. The cause of deaths is still being investigated but officials suspect the emissions from plastic burning and iron extraction may be responsible.
The local community had complained about an irritating smell in the air coming from factories in the area.
