Anti-Terrorism Court asks Commissioner Afghan Refugees to assist court

The judge said in the order that in view of the Afghan citizen registration card legal question arose whether a refugee allowed to stay in Pakistan could be released despite being charged with a heinous offence.

The News International – Peshavar: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Friday asked the Commissioner Afghan Refugees to assist it whether an Afghan having refugee registration card could stay in Pakistan after being charged with a heinous crime.

ATC Court Judge Syed Asghar Ali Shah issued a notice to Commissioner Afghan Refugees at Afghan Commissionerate to appoint a responsible officer for assisting the court on the point. In the order, the judge stated that the public prosecutor had informed the court that an Afghan Zabeehullah alias Aslam, son of Nangiali, who was presently living at Arbab Road, had been charged with kidnapping under sections 365-A, 419 and 386 PPC, 17(3) Haraba and section 7 of Anti- Terrorism Act.

He stated that during his police custody, Zabeehullah produced his original Afghan citizen card issued by the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra). The judge said in the order that in view of the Afghan citizen registration card legal question arose whether a refugee allowed to stay in Pakistan could be released despite being charged with a heinous offence. “Whether in view of the blame on his character the permission of stay will remain intact and if not what would be the future course of action in the case if the accused is found not guilty,” the judge questioned.

The judge also questioned that whether the accused may be permitted stay despite his involvement in crime when ordinarily such permission granted on humanitarian grounds may stand concealed keeping in view the paramount importance of national security. The court adjourned the case till April 23 for seeking the assistance of the Commissioner Afghan Refugees and statement of the accused.