20000218

Plane hijacking case

Prosecution may rest

its case by Friday

RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: Advocate General Sindh Raja Qureshi on Thursday submitted before the Anti Terrorism Court that the prosecution may close its side by Friday.

He was making his submission before the ATC Judge Rehmat Hussain Jaffery hearing October 12 plane conspiracy case against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and six others.

Qureshi said the statement of the complainant of the FIR, Col. Atiquzzaman Keyani may be recorded subject to permission granted by the Court. But that would be done after the submission of argument by the defence and the prosecution side are completed.

Later, addressing a press briefing at the Municipal Research and Training Institute (MRTI) Clifton, Qureshi said the prosecution would close its side by Friday. Statement of the accused would begin from Saturday, he added.

He said so far 26 prosecution witnesses had been recorded. The 27th PW, Waqar Malhan, SHO Airport Police station, would be produced on Friday, he added.

Qureshi said recording of statement of the complainant of the FIR was not necessary. If it is dropped, it would have no effect on the case of the prosecution.

Three days earlier, the prosecution had submitted a list of 24 more PWs but dropped it later after recording only six prosecution witnesses.