20000129

Custom court

allows appeals to

modify sentences

KARACHI: Justice Syed Deedar Hussain Shah, Judge Special Custom Court on Friday allowed two special criminal appeals modifying the sentence awarded to the two appellants/accused.

Zafar Iqbal, accused/appellant moved the court against award of six yearrs RI (Regorous Imprisonment) and a fine of Rs. 30,000 awarded to him by the Special Customs and Taxation Judge on charge of smuggling 2.84 kilograms of heroin powder.

The accused was arrested on April 10, 1998 while he was leaving for Moscow by Aeroflot, Russian airlines. The contraband was recovered by the Customs men concelled in suit case carried by the accused.

The SHC appellate bench after hearing the counsel for the accused in its joudgement reduced the six years term to 4 years and fine of Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 15,000.

The same bench allowing another appeal filed by accused Siraj Mohammad reduced fine from Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 15,000.

The accused was arrested on March 15, 1998 when he was leaving for Bangkok by Kyrghistan Airlines. On search of his baggage 1.0 kilogram heroin powder was recovered. The special Custom Court holding him guilty awarded a five years term and also imposed a fine of Rs. 30,000.

Meanwhile a division bench of SHC comprising Chief Justice Nazim Hussain Sidddiqui and Justice Ghulam Rabbani adjourned hearing of a petition filed by Lt Gen Sabeeh Qamar-uz-Zaman (Retd) former chairman of Pakistan Steel Mills till February 8.

The petitioner challenged inclusion of his name on ECL (Exit Control List). The adjournment came as Deputy Attorney General for Pakistan Barrister Naeem-ur-Rahman was busy before another bench.ÑAPP