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| India-Pakistan |
| Treason charges withdrawn against fundos... |
| 2002-08-31 |
| The Government of Balochistan has withdrawn the politically motivated treason charges against several leaders of the Pak-Afghan Defence Council as the government failed to substantiate the charges because of lack of evidence. Wonder how much that cost 'em? The attorneys representing the Balochistan Government submitted an application in the Anti Terrorism Court (ATC) informing the court that the government had withdrawn the treason charges against several leaders of the religious parties. These leaders were accused of delivering fiery speeches against military dictator General Pervez Musharraf and the United States attack on Afghanistan and allegedly instigated the people for an agitation against the government during the US air strikes on Afghanistan culminating in removal of the Taliban Government. The leaders who were facing these charges included Hafiz Hussain Ahmed, a former Senator and MNA, Maulana Noor Mohammad and Maulana Abdul Ghani. "You can't indict us for incitement to riot. If you do, we'll pull this town down around your ears!" It may be mentioned here that the court had earlier exonerated several other leaders of religious parties because of the lack of evidence against them. In one judgment the court recommended that a Sub Inspector of Police who was the investigation officer in a similar case should be tried for submitting the case to the court without any substantiating evidence. Bet that one really cost 'em a bundle! Although the government had registered treason cases against several dozen political workers and leaders, so far the court has convicted only two activists of Hezb-ut-Tahrir for distributing pamphlets against military ruler General Pervez Musharraf. That's because the Hezb is small potatoes in those parts, and they had to indict somebody. |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |