ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) : The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the attorney general in an appeal against a 14-year prison sentence imposed in a case involving allegations of providing shelter and food to Taliban militants.
A two-member bench, headed by Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan and comprising Justice Aqeel Ahmad Abbasi, heard the appeal and sought assistance on the jurisdiction of cases originating in former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) following the 25th Constitutional Amendment.
During the hearing, Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan questioned whether any Taliban militant had been arrested from the applicant’s house. The provincial government’s counsel, Arshad Hussain Yousafzai, informed the court that a joint investigation team (JIT) report was available.
The judge observed that the report’s findings would need to be proved, raising questions about the evidence supporting the conviction. The allegation against the applicant was that food had been provided to Taliban militants.
The bench also examined the jurisdictional issue, noting that the case dated back to before the merger of former FATA with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Peshawar High Court had previously ruled that it lacked jurisdiction and referred the matter back.
The Supreme Court directed the provincial government’s counsel and the applicant’s lawyer, Mehnaz Advocate, to assist it on the legal questions involved. Further proceedings were adjourned until November 10.
