ATC Extends Remand in Alleged Assault Case

KARACHI: A special anti-terrorism court on Thursday prolonged the physical custody of Chanesar Town Chairman Farhan Ghani, along with others implicated in the purported attack on a civil servant, by an additional three days.

Authorities presented Ghani, identified as the younger sibling of Sindh’s Minister for Local Government Saeed Ghani, and the other defendants before the tribunal. The court mandated their reappearance on August 30 and demanded the submission of an updated investigation report at the subsequent session.

The Ferozabad Police Station has formally documented the case, invoking the Anti-Terrorism Act alongside other relevant legal statutes.

During the day’s court session, attorney Waqar Abbasi filed the power of attorney on behalf of the accused individuals, while the prosecution lobbied for an extension of their physical remand.

However, the presiding judge voiced concerns regarding the investigation’s sluggish advancement, questioning, “What outcomes do you anticipate from further remand? To date, there’s been no substantial progress.” The court rebuked the investigating officer, pointing out the absence of witness statements and criticising the investigation’s lack of forward momentum.

Earlier, on Monday, the anti-terrorism court had initially placed Ghani under police remand until August 28. The case originated from a complaint lodged by government employee Hafiz Sohail, who alleged an assault while overseeing fiber cable installations on a service road adjacent to Sharae Faisal on August 22.

The official report identifies Ghani and five associates, levelling charges including attempted homicide, acts of terrorism, and related legal provisions. Ghani voluntarily surrendered to law enforcement and refuted the accusations, asserting that he was merely passing by and noticed unauthorized excavation activities.

“My sole request was to examine their authorization documents [NOC]. Upon their failure to produce them, I instructed them to cease operations. I did not physically harm anyone,” Ghani stated before the court earlier in the week.