The Supreme Court on Tuesday questioned the registration of individuals at entry and exit points of South Waziristan.

A two-member bench, comprising Justice Qazi Faez Isa and Justice Mazhar Alam, heard the bail application of Sher Zaman.

Zaman's counsel informed that his client was in South Waziristan at the time when one Hizullah was injured. Referring to the registration of the entry and exit in the tribal district, the lawyer said Zaman's entry record was present but his exit was not recorded.

Upon that the bench questioned the legality of the having entry and exit registration in the tribal district.

Justice Isa asked the purpose of recording entry and exit of people within the country and also asked which law allows such a practice. "We cannot answer which law calls for the entry and exit to be registered," replied the lawyer. He said the top court may review the issue if a petition is filed.

According the prosecution, Zaman along with his three bothers in May 2019 had opened fire at Hizullah as he entered Dera Ismail Khan due to old enmity and seriously injured him.

However, the counsel of the accused told there was no bullet exit wound on the victim's body. Justice Isa, however, observed that the bullet could have lodged itself inside the victim's body.

The trial court had rejected Zaman's bail, while the Peshawar High Court maintained the decision of the trial court. The accused, therefore, approached the apex court against the decision of the High Court.

The bench after hearing the arguments of counsels of both the parties denied the request for bail.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019