Special public prosecutors in Safoora bus attack resign

Sindh government had appointed advocate Muhammad Khan Buriro and advocate Mubashir Hussain Mirza in August as special public prosecutors in the case.

They said the Sindh government didn’t keep its promise to provide compensation, security or residence at a safe location.

It should be noted here that at least 46 people, including men, women and children belonging to Ismaili community were killed when gunmen ambushed a bus in Safoora Goth and targeted all passengers with a gunfire.

The prosecutors, who were hired by the government a couple of months ago to try the perpetrators of the Ismaili Bus attack case, decided to step down due to lack of security. Speaking to a local newspaper, the prosecutors revealed that they had written to provincial home department and requested that their fee be given to them in advance, adequate security and protection by Rangers and a safe lodging till the trial ensued.

The prosecutors’ demand for adequate security as well as safe lodging or accommodation, was not met. They said that the apprehended suspects were linked to globally recognized terrorist outfits such as the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda, hence it was impossible to prosecute the accomplices without proper security arrangements.

Saad Aziz, Tahir Hussain Minhas, Muhammad Azhar Ishrat, Asad-ur-Rehman and Hafiz Nasir are in custody and alleged to be behind the murders of the 48 killed in the Ismaili Bus attack incident.

The two lawyers complained that a meager amount of Rs 150,000 was released to them, which was the standard amount prosecutors received when they represented the state against an accused in an illegal weapons case. The duo also informed that they would be tendering their resignations on Wednesday.

According various local sources, the trial is not expected to start anytime soon since the Final Investigation Report is yet to be presented.