Court cancels Liaquat Mehsood's bail in firing case

A Karachi court on Saturday cancelled the interim pre-arrest bail of All Dumper Truck Owners Association president Liaquat Mehsood in a case lodged against him and his guard over alleged firing during a protest that erupted after a dumper truck killed a man and injured his wife.

A garbage dumper had hit a motorcycle on Nishtar Road near Karachi Sweets earlier this month, killing 23-year-old Shahzeb Shahid and injuring his wife, Misbah. Angry over the incident, protesters set the dumper on fire.

During the hearing on Mehsud’s bail application, the court remarked that his actions fell within the ambit of terrorism, adding that charges under anti-terrorism laws are applicable.

Also Read: Liaquat Mehsood's gunman arrested for opening fire on protesters in Karachi

The judge said that evidence presented by the investigating officer (IO) showed that Mehsud’s guard opened direct fire on citizens, creating fear and panic among the public. The court observed that the guard’s firearm permit had expired and he was not legally authorized to carry weapons.

The judge further noted that the guard’s firing could have resulted in loss of life.

Liaquat Mehsud was not present in court when the order cancelling his interim bail was announced. His lawyer, Advocate Salman Mujahid, informed the court that Mehsud had appeared earlier in the morning and then left.

The court also rejected the post-arrest bail plea of Mehsud’s guard, Jaffar.