SHC calls progress report in Murtaza murder case

A division bench of Sindh High Court (SHC) comprising Justice Muhammad Mujeebullah Siddiqui and Justice Muhammad Afzal Soomro on Monday directed Assistant Advocate General Sindh to inform the court about progress in trial of murder case of Mir Murtaza Bhutto and seven others against Asif Ali Zardari and others.
The bench was hearing a criminal miscellaneous application filed by Asif Ali Zardari against an order of a subordinate court which dismissed an application by Zardari seeking direction to trial court to keep applicant in Karachi for his lumbar region ailment.
When the application came up for hearing before the bench on Monday morning, Farooq H. Naek, counsel for applicant submitted a certificate issued by Dr Imtiaz Hashmi pertaining to the treatment given to Asif Zardari.
The court directed counsel for Zardari to supply copy of the certificate to AAG Ahmed Pirzada appearing for the Sindh government.
AAG sought time from the court to verify that whether the said treatment is only available at Ziauddin Medical University or also at Islamabad.
On a query by the bench, Farooq H. Naek said that Barrister Azizullah K. Shaikh is appearing for the applicant in Mir Murtaza Bhutto case. Shaikh who was present in connection with hearing of another case informed the bench that prosecution has submitted a list of 400 witnesses but now prosecution side would examine 40 PWs in all. He also stated that only two have so far been examined.
The bench then asked AAG that when prosecution would be able to produce all PWs before trial court so that court could consider possibility of giving direction to trial court for hearing and disposal of the case on day to day basis.
AAG Ahmed Pirzada stated that he is not in position to make any statement regarding stage of trial and to query posed by the court. He sought time to seek instructions. He however opposed adjournment of hearing of application till August 12 as suggested by counsel for applicant.
The bench after hearing Farooq Naek and AAG put off hearing till August 12.