20000205

SSP east deposes Arain ordered to take control of Karachi Airport

RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: Bashir Ahmed Memon, senior superintendent of police, District East, said on Friday that he had heard former inspector general of Sindh police Rana Maqbool Ahmed asking former deputy inspector general of Karachi police Akber Arain, to take over the control of the Karachi airport.

Memon was recording his evidence in the October 12 plane conspiracy case before the Anti Terrorism Court judge, Rehmat Hussain Jafferi. The main accused, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, was present in the court along with six co-accused in the case. The court examined two witness on Friday and adjourned the hearing till Wednesday, February 9. The prosecution has submitted a list of nine more witnesses.

Memon said he had also heard Maqbool telling Arain that the instructions to take over the Karachi airport were given to him on behalf of the former adviser to prime minister on Sindh affairs, Syed Ghous Ali Shah.

The witness said when, along with Arain, he entered the VIP lounge Shah was talking to Maqbool and asking whether Arain could take control of the airport. Maqbool repeated the same question to Arain, the witness added. Arain inquired from Maqbool about the reasons for this action, to which Maqbool replied that it was an order from above. Maqbool said to Arain that the plane carrying the COAS was coming and it was not to be allowed landing, the witness said.

Memon said the former IGP had said that the Civil Aviation Authority and the Pakistan International Airlines had taken all measures to block the landing of the plane and the police was required to provide protection.

The witness said Arain did not agree to the proposal and advised everybody to leave the airport saying that the army had already taken control of the airport.

Memon said soon after that he, along with Arain, left the airport. While on way to our destinations, a message on phone was received that the IGP wanted to see the DIG. I dropped Arain at the IGP House and proceed to my office to perform routine functions.

The other witness in the case, Superintendent of Fire Tender, CAA, Asadullah Shaikh said that he was asked by Nadeem Akber from the Control Tower to take the vehicles to the runway and block it.

APP Adds: The Asadullah said that on October 12, 1999, Mohammad Ramzan, a watch room attendant informed him that the Control Tower wanted to speak to him. He was asked by Nadeem Akbar from the Control Tower to take the vehicles of the Fire Station to the runway.

Meanwhile, the fire alarms also begun to ring. When he reached the runway to 5-right, the start of runway, fire vehicle No. 9 inquired from the Control Tower whether they should enter the runway or not.

Asadullah said he was in vehicle No. 7 with the driver. He contacted the Tower Commander who asked him to enter and block the runway. At about 6.30 p.m. runway lights were also switched off, he added.

The witness said watch room attendant contacted the Crush Fire Rescue Officer who inquired from the Control Tower regarding nature of emergency. He received the message that he should contact on telephone.

Meanwhile, the third vehicle went towards 7-left and entered the runway. These vehicles remained on the runway for about 40 to 45 minutes. On receiving a message from the Control Tower the runway was vacated immediately.

They were asked to remain stand by at the Fire Station, witness concluded. Khwaja Sultan cross examined the witness.