Zarvan
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KARACHI: A new Joint Investigation Team (JIT) formed by Sindh government to ascertain the veracity of shocking assertions made by Saulat Mirza, a convict on death row, has started its work by calling a meeting in Karachi, SAMAA reported on Tuesday.
The fresh JIT has put under scrutiny the revelations brought to the fore in 1997 by the widow of Shahid Hamid, the then Managing Director KESC, killed by Saulat Mirza, a former activist of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM).
Hamid’s wife, Shehnaz Hamid, alleged that MQM leaders including Nasrin Jalil, Aftab Sheikh, Qazi Khalid, Shoaib Bukhari, Farooq Sattar and MA Jalil threatened him (Hamid). She also informed a police team about the threats.
Police took in custody 18 files contained in an office bag from the murder spot. The files comprised the orders regarding suspension and dismissal of the employees of Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC), now K-Electric.
The JIT headed by DIG Traffic Ameer Sheikh held its informal meeting at Karachi Central Police Office for an initial overview of Mirza’s statement. The team also formulated a strategy to strike up the investigations.
Moving on the directives of the federal government, Sindh government formed a new six-member Joint Investigation Team on Tuesday (April 02) to afresh interrogate death house inmate Mirza.
The JIT has been mandated to furnish its report to the provincial government within seven days after conducting interrogations with the convict at Balochistan's Machh Jail. Failing the deadline, the JIT may be extended its stipulated duration, according to the sources.
Later, the jail officials at Machh prison have been notified about the JIT. Balochistan's Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti directed the jail authorities to extend cooperation to the probe team.
Saulat Mirza's Hanging Put On Hold
Mirza was earlier scheduled to be hanged on March 19; however, his hanging was postponed following his scandalous revelations about MQM and its leadership including Altaf Hussain and Sindh governor Dr. Ishratul Ebad in a video statement aired on national media hours before his execution.
Following the telecast, President Mamnoon Hussain stayed his hanging apparently on ‘health woes’.
Later, April 1st was fixed for sending him to gallows; however, his sentence was again put on hold for further investigations into allegations he leveled against the MQM and its leaders.
It is pertinent to note here that a local anti-terrorism court awarded him death penalty in May 1999 for a triple homicide, as he was found guilty for killing Shahid Hamid, his driver Ashraf Brohi, and security guard Khan Akbar in a July 1997 shooting.
In April 2014, he was transferred to Machh Jail, Balochistan. However, when he will be executed, is not yet known.
Outrageous Revelations against MQM & PPP
Mirza, a former political activist, claimed that MQM leader Altaf Hussain had ordered him to carry out the murders. Mentioning the name of Shahid Hamid, he said in his video statement, "Altaf Hussain gave me the orders on telephone, which I heard at the residence of Babar Ghauri, a senator and senior party leader."
He also accused the Governor of Sindh, Dr Ishrat-ul-Ebad of exercising his clout in order to arrange safe conduct for criminals.
Mirza also leveled charges against Pakistan People's Party claiming that the MQM facilitated him along with other party activists at prisons when PPP was in power.
MQM Rejects Allegations As Propaganda
However, the MQM spurned all allegations levelled by its former activist, asserting it was a part of propaganda being peddled to malign and marginalize the party that is the bellwether of change in a political culture commanded by status quo forces including feudal lords and other bigwigs. –SAMAA
Saulat Mirza JIT gets down to work
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