IHC reserves verdict on bail plea in Jinnah Avenue standoff case

ISLAMABAD: Hearing an appeal filed by Mohammad Sikandar against his conviction in the Jinnah Avenue standoff case, the Islamabad High Court on Wednesday reserved verdict after hearing arguments from the petitioner.

The appeal was heard by IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah.

The capital city was virtually paralyzed on Aug 15, 2013 when Sikandar carrying a rifle in his hand blocked the Jinnah Avenue, with law enforcers unclear of his motive.

An FIR was registered on Aug 16 under section 6 of the Anti-Terrorist Act. The police recorded the statements of around 30 witnesses, including police personnel, doctors and eyewitnesses, and attached video footage of the case as evidence against Sikandar.

Mohammad Sikandar was arrested six hours after the episode, following he was shot by security personnel. He was taken into custody and received medical treatment at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences.

The Anti Terrorism Court (ATC) had convicted Sikandar in May 2017. ATC Judge Syed Kausar Abbas Zaidi convicted Sikandar for creating panic in the federal capital and sentenced him to 18 years in prison.

However, the judge had acquitted his spouse Kanwal Sikandar.

According to the charges, Sikandar fired into the air on Jinnah Avenue on Aug 15. He was shot and seriously wounded by the police after PPP leader Zamurd Khan made an unsuccessful attempt to apprehend Sikandar.