Defence counsels cross-examine witness in media houses' attack case

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan leaders Farooq Sattar and others appeared in anti-terrorism court on Saturday in a case pertaining to attack on ARY News and other media houses on August 22, 2016 after the hate speech of the party’s founder.

Amir Khan, Kunwar Naveed Jameel, Shahid Pasha and other accused were also present in the court hearing.

Investigation officer of the case, and witness Judicial Magistrate Kaleemullah were also present in the court. Magistrate Kaleemullah had conducted identification parade of the 26 accused.

The counsels of accused cross-examined prosecution witness and Judicial Magistrate Kaleemullah.

The court adjourned next hearing of the case until May 25, when counsels of accused will continue cross examination of the witness.

The court has already declared nine accused of the case including the founder of MQM as proclaimed offenders.

Farooq Sattar and other accused had pleaded not guilty of attacking media houses and facilitating the hate speech of the party’s founder when the court indicted them in the case in November last year.

Two cases were registered against the accused at Artillary police station of Karachi after the party workers’ attack on media offices in the city.

The workers of MQM went berserk and attacked the office of ARY News and other media houses on August 22, 2016 evening, after the party’s London-based leader’s vitriolic speech against the state agencies and the media.