Sindh High Court on Friday adjourned hearing of appeals, filed by Ahmed Omer Sheikh and others, in United States Journalist Daniel Pearl kidnapping and killing conspiracy case.
Abdul Rauf, father of co-appellant Salman Saqib told court that Rai Bashir advocate who is appearing for his son has left to India and requested adjournment. SHC's division bench comprising Justice Rehmat Hussain Jaffery and Justice Mrs Qaiser Iqbal observed that court had not received intimation from the counsel but granted request of adjournment as matter related to the capital punishment.
Adjourning the matter for December 11, the court directed both counsels to make arrangement for the proceeding, as the matter would be proceeded on day to day basis.
Omer's counsel Khawaja Sultan and Assistant Advocate General Habib Ahmed appeared before the court. The main accused Ahmed Omer Sheikh was sentenced to death for kidnapping and killing US journalist, and his three accomplices Fahad Naseem, Syed Salman Saqib and Sheikh Mohammad Adil were sentenced to life in prison with fine of Rs 500,000 each by ATC Hyderabad on July 15, 2002. The appeals of appellants against conviction and State for enhancement of sentence for co-accused were pending in SHC since October 2002.