LHC sets judges’ schedule from August 10

KARACHI: The father of young Karachi resident Mir Raza has expressed confidence in the newly formed investigation team. He said he felt, for the first time in 13 days, that the investigation was moving in the right direction. Mir Raza’s parents, lawyer Jibran Nasir and members of the new investigation team visited locations connected to the case. The visit was aimed at reviewing important points and gathering information that could help investigators understand what happened. Jibran Nasir said the family had identified several important locations on its own. These locations were later shown to the police. He said Mir Raza’s parents were cooperating fully with the investigators and answering their questions. Nasir said the investigation team was waiting for the results of samples collected during the post-mortem examination. He said additional samples obtained after the exhumation had also been sent to a forensic laboratory. The lawyer said the family now believed that an honest and serious officer was handling the investigation. He said the family had earlier faced difficulties in getting the matter investigated properly. Mir Raza’s father, Mir Hussain, said the family still wanted clear answers about his son’s death. He said the exact circumstances surrounding the incident had not yet been established. According to him, the initial investigation should have been more effective. He said timely and proper action at the beginning could have taken the case to a different stage. Mir Hussain said the new investigation team was listening to the family’s concerns. He said investigators were considering the information provided by the parents. The family, he added, now had greater confidence in the process. He said the main objective was to establish what happened to Mir Raza and how the incident took place. The family wanted every aspect of the case to be examined. Mir Hussain said Mir Raza’s kitchen was located around half a kilometre from the site of the incident. He also said information about three suspicious individuals had already been shared with the police. The victim’s father further alleged that the previous investigation team had not properly shared details of the inquiry with the family. He hoped the new team would maintain transparency and investigate the case from all possible angles. The family said it would continue cooperating with investigators. Mir Hussain said they would pursue the case as far as necessary to uncover the truth and obtain justice for Mir Raza. Investigators are now expected to examine forensic evidence, statements and other available information. The reports from the forensic laboratory could also play an important role in determining the circumstances surrounding the case.

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad has granted police another seven days of physical remand of Saad Abbasi, who is accused of killing Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Group Captain Asim Tariq. Abbasi was produced before the court on Monday after completing his initial seven-day physical remand. ATC Judge Abul Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain heard the case. The prosecution requested an additional 15 days of physical remand to continue the investigation. Prosecutor Raja Naveed Hussain Kayani told the court that police had recovered the pistol allegedly used in the killing. He said the suspect had allegedly concealed the weapon after the incident. The prosecution also informed the court that investigators had yet to recover the suspect’s mobile phone. Police said the phone could provide further information relevant to the investigation. After hearing arguments from the prosecution, the court reserved its decision on the remand request. The court later approved seven more days of physical remand. Abbasi was handed back to police custody for further investigation. The court directed police to produce the suspect before it again after the completion of the additional remand period. The case relates to the death of Group Captain Asim Tariq in Islamabad on July 5. According to the investigation, the PAF officer intervened when the suspect allegedly attempted to forcibly take a woman away. The situation reportedly escalated after Tariq intervened. The suspect allegedly opened fire, and the officer was struck by a bullet. Tariq succumbed to his injuries and was later declared a martyr. Islamabad police arrested Abbasi within nine hours of the incident. Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Police are also working to recover the suspect’s mobile phone and gather additional evidence.

Seven workers were abducted after a group of armed men raided a private mining site in Chagai district and allegedly took away vehicles, fuel and other equipment worth millions of rupees. According to sources, the incident occurred around 1pm on Tuesday at a mine in Mahian Kaur, located approximately 15 to 18 kilometres west of Chagai town. Eight unidentified armed men reportedly arrived at the mining site on motorcycles. They took control of the facility and held the workers hostage before taking seven employees away with them. Four of the abducted workers were from Gilgit. They were identified as Wajahat, Wajid, Shahid and Sabir. The other three workers were locals. They were identified as Ziauddin from Dalbandin, Shah Saleem from Mahian in Chagai and Saeed Muhammad, who is also from Mahian. Sources said the armed men remained at the mining site for several hours. They reportedly stayed there until around 7pm before leaving with the hostages and equipment. The attackers allegedly took a Zambad vehicle and a four-wheel-drive pickup from the site. A motorcycle was also reportedly taken. More than 20 solar panels were among the items removed from the mining facility. The attackers also allegedly took bedding, kitchen equipment and other supplies used by the workers. A large quantity of fuel was also taken. Sources said the stolen fuel included around 2,500 litres of diesel and 1,500 litres of petrol. The attackers reportedly carried out the operation without facing resistance. They then left the area with the seven workers and the stolen property. The incident was reported to the relevant authorities soon after the attackers departed. Local administration and security officials have launched efforts to trace the abducted workers and recover the vehicles and other property. Search efforts are continuing in the area, while authorities are also investigating the identity and motives of the armed men. The abduction has raised fresh security concerns for workers and private mining operations in Chagai, where remote mining sites can be difficult to secure. At the time of reporting, there was no confirmed information about the whereabouts or condition of the seven abducted workers.