Waseem Akhtar’s house may be declared ‘sub-jail’
* Sources say pressure on Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah may be increased for mayor's release once he takes oath on August 30
KARACHI: The Sindh government may declare newly elected Karachi's mayor house E-208/D Block-2 PECHS a "sub-jail".
The proposal came under discussion at a meeting presided over by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Thursday.
Sources said that the Sindh chief minister could also pass an executive order for immediate release of the elected mayor. They said that pressure on the Sindh government for the release of the newly elected mayor might be mounted once he takes oath on August 30.
"If his [Waseem] fate is not decided on political grounds, there is a possibility that his party workers and members of the civil society may stage protest demonstration; pushing the government for his early release," they added.
In this connection, Sindh Inspector General of Prison Nushrat Hussain Mangan on Thursday held a meeting with Waseem in prison and discussed the matters pertaining to the facilities being provided to him in the jail. Deputy Inspector General of Prison Ashraf Nizamani, Jail Superintendent Qazi Nazeer and other officials also attended the meeting.
Meanwhile, International Lawyers Forum (ILF) Chairman Nasir Ahmed Advocate has demanded the Sindh chief minister to use his legal powers for immediate release of the elected mayor.
Ahmed mentioned that former Sindh chief minister Ghause Ali Shah had passed an executive order to control the then political unrest and the law and order situation and released hundreds of political workers and leaders.
Currently, there are over 17,000 inmates in city jails including convicted terrorists. It may be mentioned that Akhtar is facing around 28 cases. He was arrested on July 19 on charges of sheltering and providing medical treatment to alleged militants and criminals.