ATC reserves verdict on MQM leader's bail plea

KARACHI: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Friday reserved its verdict on the bail plea of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Amir Khan, who is under custody on judicial remand till June 25, Express News reported.

The court reserved its verdict after listening to the arguments of the prosecution and defence and will announce the verdict on Monday (June 29).

The defence lawyers had contended before the court that none of the accused arrested from the MQM headquarters, nine-zero stated during investigation that Amir Khan directed them to carry out any terrorist activity.

Khan had been detained by Rangers when the paramilitary force raided MQM’s headquarters nine-zero on March 11, 2015.

Rangers had claimed that they had apprehended nearly half a dozen target killers during the raid – including Faisal Mehmood, aka Mota, who was condemned to death by a court over his involvement in the murder of television journalist Wali Khan Babar.

On June 3, the MQM leader was charged for harbouring criminals and providing them protection.

In June 12, the ATC had ordered to send Khan to prison on judicial remand till June 25. The order came after his seven-day physical remand in police custody had expired.