ISLAMABAD: An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Monday, resuming the hearing of a case pertaining to the murder of Barrister Fahad Malik, expressed reservations over non-appearance of senior counsel for deceased Fahad Malik and directed to ensure his presence on the next hearing.
The ATC Judge Kausar Abbas Zaidi was listening to the case whereas the prosecution sought adjournment due to the absence of senior counsel Akram Qureshi against which the judge expressed reservations as such counsel had not appeared before the court for the last many hearings.
During the last hearing, the examination-in-chief of the witness investigation officer Muhammad Yousaf was completed, but cross-examination was pending due to the objections of prosecution about the questions, giving reference of Section 162 of the law of evidence, which barred defence to ask such questions from the witness.
Such a witness is the last witness of the case after which evidence will be concluded and the case may be decided after the final statements of the accused.
Three accused had been indicted in the case including Arshad Mehmood, Nouman Khokhar and Raja Hashim.
The Shalimar police had booked accused Arshad Mehmood, Nouman Khokhar and others after Fahad Malik was gunned down in F-10/3 in the early hours of August 15, 2016.
The hearing of post-arrest bail plea of the accused Raja Arshad Mehmood was also adjourned.
The hearing of such case will be resumed on April 1.