The Lahore High Court (LHC) here Thursday reserved its judgement in a petition moved by counsel of an accused of Mumbai terrorist attack Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, seeking transfer of his case from Rawalpindi anti-terrorism court (ATC) to Lahore. The counsel contended before the court that his life is in danger as the personnel of Indian secret agencies are roaming around the capital city.
He had to travel a long way to reach ATC court, and there is likelihood that they might target the counsel for pursuing Lakhvi's case. He said Lahore is a safe place as compared to Islamabad because less number of Indian spies is present here. He alleged that the ATC court is not working independently, as the government is influencing it while the government is already under influence of India.
He said the incumbent judge had not 'applied to his mind' while framing the charges, as he farmed the same charges that had framed his predecessor. Additional Advocate General and Additional Prosecutor General however, said that the government is ready to provide security to the counsels. CJ Justice Khawaja Muhammad Sharif reserved the verdict after hearing arguments from both sides.
The ATC Rawalpindi is holding in-camera proceeding of the case, inside Adiala Jail. Special Investigation Cell (SIC) had registered a case against eight suspects, including Hamad Ameen Sadiq, Zarar Shah, Hamza alias Abu Alqa, Mr Khan, Shahid Jamil Riaz alias Muhammad Riaz, Javed Iqbal, Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi and Muhammad Ashfaq, for February 12 for their alleged involvement in Mumbai attacks. The SIC had arrested the accused-Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, Zarar Shah, Hamza alias Abu Alqa and Hamad Ameen Sadiq from Soan Terminal on February 12, 2009. Police also arrested accused Shahid Jamil Riaz alias Muhammad Riaz from Chakwal city in March.