Judgment Lahore High Court
Judgment Lahore High Court
VS
Z . A . BHUTTO
JUDGMENT
Reproduced By:
Sani Hussain Panhwar
Member Sindh Council, PPP
JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT
JUDGMENT
2. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (hereinafter called as “the principal accused”) was holding
the office of the Prime Minister of Pakistan on the fateful day and had been
holding that office from the month of August, 1973 till the night intervening 4th
and 5th July, 1977. Before 14th August, 1973 he held the high office of the
President of Pakistan. The other accused were members of the Federal Security
Force. Mian Muhammad Abbas was Director Operations and Intelligence in that
force while Ghulam Mustafa, Arshad Iqbal and Rana Iftikhar Ahmad accused
were employed in that force as Inspector, Sub Inspector and Assistant Sub
Inspector respectively. Two of the accused persons Masood Mehmood and
Ghulam Hussain were granted pardon and have been examined as approvers at
the trial. They were holding posts of Director General and Inspector respectively
in the same force.
3. On the night between the 10th and 11th of November, 1974, at about 12-30
A.M. while Ahmad Raza Kasuri, P.W. 1, a Member of the Opposition in the
National Assembly, Pakistan, was returning in his Car No. LEJ-9495, from the
wedding of one Bashir Hussain Shah of Shadman Colony, Lahore he was fired at
with automatic weapons near Shadman-Shah Jamal Round-about as a result of
which his father Nawab Muhammad Ahmad Khan received injuries, which
resulted in his death in the United Christian Hospital at about 2-55 a.m. the same
night. A statement in writing of this occurrence (Ex. P.W. 1/2) was given by
Ahmad Raza Kasuri at about 3-00 a.m. and on its basis an F.I.R. copy of which is
Ex. PW 34/1, was recorded at Police Station Ichhra.
5. It was further stated that the complainant was sniped at for political
reasons since he was a Member of the Opposition in the National Assembly and
held the Office of Central Secretary of Tehrik-e-Istiqlal Pakistan. He used to
criticise the Government strongly. In June, 1974, the principal accused had said
addressing him in the meeting of the National Assembly that he was fed up with
him and it was not possible for him (principal accused) to tolerate him
(complainant) any more. These words were recorded in the record of the
National Assembly and had also been published in the newspapers.
6. The prosecution case is that Ahmad Raza Kasuri who was a founder
member of the Pakistan Peoples Party and had been elected on the ticket of that
party as Member of the National Assembly in the elections held in December,
1970, developed after the said elections strained relations with the principal
accused, who in order to get him assassinated or liquidated entered into a
conspiracy with Masood Mehmood approver through the agency of the Federal
Security Force. Mian Muhammad Abbas joined this conspiracy on the direction
of Masood Mehmood and directed Ghulam Hussain approver, P.W. 31 to
organise the murder of Ahmad Raza Kasuri. Mian Muhammad Abbas also
arranged for the supply of arms and ammunition from the armoury of the
Federal Security Force for the execution of this design. The other three accused
and Ghulam Hussain approver also joined the conspiracy. Ghulam Mustafa
obtained the requisite arms and ammunition with the help of Mian Muhammad
Abbas to execute the conspiracy. On the night between 10th and 11th of
November, 1974 after having received arms and ammunition from Ghuiam
Mustafa accused, Ghulam Hussain approver, Arshad Iqbal accused and Rana
Iftikhar Ahmad accused in furtherance of the common intention fired with
9. Coming back to the events of the fateful night it may be seen that Ahmad
Raza Kasuri sped in his car, which incidentally was also damaged, to the United
Christian Hospital. Nawab Muhammad Ahmad Khan was alive at that time. His
outpatient card Ex. P.W. 6/1 was prepared by Dr- Zarrin Faiz. He was admitted
in the Emergency Room at 1.00 A.M. on the 11th November, 1974 vide entry Ex.
P.W. 6/2-A in the Emergency Room Register Ex.P.W. 6/2. He was attended to by
10. The patient died on the same night at 2.55 A.M. in the hospital. A death
certificate P.W. 6/6 was issued by P.W. 6. The cause of death mentioned in this
certificate was “bullet injury brain”. In the opinion of the Doctor (P.W. 6) the
injury was sufficient in the ordinary course of nature to cause death.
11. Dr. Sabir Ali who was working as Deputy Surgeon Medicolegal, Lahore at
that time, on receipt of order Ex. P.W. 7/1 performed the post mortem
examination of the deceased at 6.15 A.M. the same day. He found the following
injuries :
(1) Lacerated wound with ragged margins, 2 ½ “ X 1 ½ “. The
brain matter was visible, placed on the top right side of the
head, obliquely transversed, the lateral end downwards and
the medial end upwards, three vertical lacerations on the
anterior margin of the wound and two vertical lacerations
on the posterior margin. The size of the laceration ranged
from 1/2” to 1/3”. This wound was situated 6 ½ “ above the
tragus of the right ear at 11 O’clock.
(4) Abrasion 1/4” X 1/4” on the outer lower half of the left
forearm 2½” above the wrist joint.
12. On the dissection of the cranium he found the whole of the under-scalp
ecchymosed. There was eggshell fracture of the parietal bone along with multiple
linear and fissured fracture extending in all directions. There was fracture of the
On opening the chest, both the lungs were found pale. The heart was empty. On
opening the abdomen, the stomach was found empty. The small intestines
contained chyme and the large one had faeces. The liver, spleen and the kidneys
were pale. The bladder contained four ounces of urine.
13. In the opinion of the Doctor Injury No. 1 which was inflicted by some fire
arm was sufficient to cause death in the ordinary course of nature. The cause of
death was injury to brain and shock, and only few hours had elapsed between
the injury and the death and similarly between the death and the post-mortem
examination. The post mortem report is Ex. P.W. 7/2.
14. P.W. 7 handed over to the police a bullet and two metallic pieces which were
sealed in a tube and the clothes of the deceased, bush-shirt, bunyan, trousers and
underwear, all blood-stained (Ex. P. 1 to P. 4). They were taken into possession
by Memo Ex. P.W. 7/6
16. On an application Ex. P.W. 1/4 submitted by Ahmad Raza Kasuri to the
District Magistrate in the hospital and in pursuance of the order passed on it by
the District Magistrate, P.W. 34 gave custody of the car on Superdari to Ahmad
Raza Kasuri. Recovery memo of empty cartridges and bullets P.W. 34/4 and
other documents were prepared much later but were ante dated as will be seen
from the evidence.
17. The prosecution has produced the evidence to prove the following points :
18. The first three points are proved by the evidence of PWs. 1 to 4 and 31.
19. He further submitted that he was the only member of the Pakistan Peoples
Party who went to Dacca to attend the Session of the National Assembly
scheduled to be held on the 3rd of March, 1971. He had taken this action in the
20. Elucidating the history of his differences with the principal accused the
witness added that on the 2nd of May, 1971, the said accused came to Kasur
where he addressed the Workers of the Pakistan Peoples Party in Habib Mahal
Cinema, Kasur. The elements pro to the principal accused resorted to an attack
on him within the premises of Habib Mahal Cinema and his hand was fractured
in that attack. On the same day, after the attack, the principal accused suspended
his primary membership of the Pakistan Peoples Party.
21. On the next day, the witness organised his own group known as Raza
Progressive Group in the party. Thereafter, another attack was launched on him
on the 17th of January, 1972, in which 3 bullets hit his legs. In this incident, his
brother Khizar Hayat, also received injuries. Thereafter, he made a temporary
peace with the principal accused, as a matter of political strategy since the latter
was the Chief Martial Law Administrator and was witch hunting his political
opponents under the Martial Law umbrella by securing quick punishment for
them from the Military Courts.
22. Immediately after the lifting of the Martial Law, the witness again showed
his teeth to the principal accused and revived his old role of criticising him, both
outside and inside the National Assembly. He was formally expelled by the
principal accused from the Pakistan Peoples Party in October, 1972. He joined the
Tehrik-e-Istiqlal in June, 1973.
24. P.W. 1 then narrated the incident dated 24th of August, 1974 at Islamabad
in which he was fired at from a blue jeep in broad day light and in regard to
which a case was registered at police station Islamabad vide F.I.R. PW.111. No
Police Officer, however, contacted him thereafter in this connection and no
investigation or inquiry into the incident was at all made.
25. The witness stated that he took up the matter before the Committee of the
Full House which was seized of the Qadiani issue, but that Committee did not
entertain the motion since it was not functioning as National Assembly. The
witness also agitated this matter on the same day i.e. 24th August, 1974 on the
floor of the Senate.
26. The witness further stated that he became alert and took all those
precautions which a private individual could possibly take. ‘He went to Quetta
in September, 1974 ‘to attend the meeting of the Working Committee of Tehrik-e-
Istiqlal of which he was a member. He stayed there in the hotel Imdad where
other members of the Working Committee including Air Marshal (Retired)
Asghar Khan were also staying. They had a few guards. In addition the local
party president, Mr. Khudai Noor also arranged a strong contingent of guards.
These guards used to search everybody before allowing him to meet the witness
and others. A strong contingent of these guards used to stand alert on the
staircase of the Hotel and the other set used to watch the rooms where the party
of the witness was staying. In spite of this the witness used to slip away at night
from the room booked for him since he was aware that he was a marked man.
27. Regarding the incident, P.W.1 stated that he with his parents and maternal
aunt went to attend the wedding ceremony of Syed Bashir Shah in Shad-man
Colony, Lahore, on the 10th November, 1974, at 8.00 P.M. It was a dinner-cum-
Qawali function. Shortly after midnight when the Qawali was over, he with his
parents and aunt started towards his own house in his right-hand driven Toyota
Mark-II car which he was himself driving. His father Nawabzada Muhammad
Ahmad Khan deceased was sitting on the front seat towards his left while his
mother was sitting on the rear seat behind him with his aunt towards her left. He
reached in a few minutes the Shadman-Shah Jamal Round-about which is about
70 yards from the house of Syed Bashir Shah. He had hardly put his car into the
second gear when the first burst of weapons hit the body the car’s lights went off.
Then there were repeat-of his car and damaged its dynamo. Immediately ed
28. The witness managed to drive his car to the United-Christian Hospital.
His father was removed there to the operation theatre. After that he rang up at
his home and informed his people about the unfortunate incident. The doctors
needed blood which he himself gave. After he had given his blood for being
transfused in the body of his father, he saw his brothers along with two
immediate neighbours and family friends, Mr. Ayyaz and Mr. Javed Zafar Khan.
29. He went on to state that his brother Maj. Ali Raza rang up the SSP Lahore
and informed him about the occurrence. Asghar Khan SSP (P.W. 12) arrived in
the hospital followed by D.I.G. Mr. Abdul Wakil Khan (P.W. 14). The witness
described before the Police Officers the entire incident and told them that this
attack had been launched on the instructions of the principal accused. He stated
that while his father was still in the operation theatre, the police officials were
trying to draft an FIR on the basis of the information supplied by him, but he did
not agree to the registration of the case on the basis of the draft prepared by them.
They had first mentioned in the draft that this attack might have taken place
because of political differences to which he objected that he required precision
and the term “political differences” was vague; after which they wrote that this
attack might have been arranged by the Government. The witness stated that he
took objection to this sentence also because in the set up of the Governmental
organization, right from the Tehsildar up to the President of Pakistan, everybody
performs Governmental functions. He said that he would like the draft to be
more precise and to include the name of the principal accused. The Police
Officers persuaded him to drop the name of the principal accused. At about 3
o’clock in the night, a doctor came down from the operation theatre and formally
announced the death of his father. He lost his temper and told the police officers
with finality that if they had to record an F.I.R., the name of the principal accused
must be included in it. Thereupon, they asked him to give his statement in
writing promising that the case would be registered on its basis. The witness
added that since he was not in a fit state of mind, he dictated his statement
Ex.P.W. 1/12 to Javed Zaffar Khan and later signed it and handed it over to
Asghar Khan P.W.1/2, who, later handed it over to some police man on duty.
31. The witness referred to the Privilege Motion moved by him on the 29th
November, 1974 (Ex. P.W. 1/7) in the National Assembly which was ruled out of
order.
32. As regards the investigation, the witness stated that the police did not
contact him or his mother or his aunt in connection with the investigation. He
stated that once or twice the police officials did come to his house but they came
only for condolence purpose. He appeared before the Tribunal headed by Mr.
Justice Shafi-ur-Rahman. He kept an Ex Army Havildar Sherbaz Khan, as his
personal guardman who accompanied him on his visits to and return from the
National Assembly.
33. The witness stated that theirs was a happy family and the unity in the
family was exemplary. There were no disputes over land. He produced official
reports of the National Assembly pertaining to 19th February, 1973, 20th
February, 1973, 1st June, 1973 and 3rd June, 1974, Exs. P.W.1/8, P.W.1/9,
P.W.1/10 and P.W.1/11 to corroborate his statement.
34. The witness recounted the facts leading to his rejoining the Peoples Party.
He stated that in September, 1975, Saeed Ahmad Khan P.W.3 and Abdul Hamid
Bajwa (now deceased) started visiting his house in Lahore and also his room in
the Government Hostel Islamabad. Saeed Ahmad Khan, P.W.3, persuaded him
by reminding him that he was a marked man and the danger had not as yet
abated. He also said that the witness was a young parliamentarian having a
bright future in the politics of Pakistan and by maintaining the present stance; he
had not only put his life in jeopardy but had put his entire family at stake. He
advised him to patch up with the principal accused. These visits of P.W.3 and
Abdul Hamid Bajwa continued for some time. Mr. Abdul Hafeez Pirzada visited
his house in October, 1975 and tried to persuade him to compromise with the
said accused and to rejoin the Pakistan Peoples Party. The witness stated that he
patched up with the principal accused on the 6th of April, 1976.
He admitted to have written this but explained that he was trying to pamper the
accused.
36. Much of the cross-examination by the learned counsel for the principal
accused was directed towards showing that the witness had great admiration for
the leadership of the principal accused and in this connection he was shown his
letter Ex. P.W. 1/18-D and his telegram Ex .P.W. 17-D which pertain to the
period upto 1970. He denied having admiration but stated that he had been
prompted to join the Pakistan Peoples Party, by its Manifesto. He however,
admitted his cordial relations with the principal accused up to January, 1971. He
described priorities in regard to his loyalties and stated that his first loyalty was
to the country and to the nation, second loyalty was to the Party and its
Manifesto and the third loyalty was for the leadership. He was cross-examined at
length regarding the incident of Habib Mahal Cinema, Kasur, May, 1971, the
cross-cases registered in that connection against him, the case registered in his
support in this connection and a cross-case registered against him and one
Muhammad Ashraf, about another attack launched at his house at Kasur on the
night between the 4th and 5th of August, 1971 in which his brother Khizar Hayat
received as many as 100 injuries, and about an incident of the 8th of April, 1972,
of a firing in a public meeting held at Khudian which he addressed, and the cases
registered in this respect. He was also questioned about an assault by Ch.
Muhammad Yaqoob Maan with his party on him on the 17th January, 1972, in
which he sustained bullet injuries on his legs, with the intention of showing that
he had inimical relations with Ch. Muhammad Yaqoob Maan. He was examined
37. Some questions were put to him about an attack made on his house by one
Haji Nai in 1952, but he denied this suggestion. He admitted the gifts made by
his father to his wife and others but he denied that there was any family dispute
on this score.
38. He was questioned whether the strike of PPL had started under the orders
of the said accused or the Central Committee the witness replied that it was
under the orders of the accused. But he repudiated the suggestion that the strike
was started by the strikers including himself without the concurrence of the
principal accused.
39. In reply to the questions put by the learned counsel for the other accused
the witness admitted that there was no enmity between him, his family and his
father on the one hand and Arshad Iqbal, Rana Iftikhar Ahmad and Ghulam
Mustafa on the other and that he had no or enmity against Mian Muhammad
Abbas. It is unnecessary to deal with the rest of the cross-examination which
dealt only with the question of the witness trying to obtain the Pakistan Peoples
Party ticket or seek interviews with the principal accused in his capacity as Prime
Minister.
40. Masood Mahmood approver (P.W.2) who joined the Police Service of
Pakistan in 1948, served as Superintendent of Police, Deputy Inspector General
Police, Deputy Secretary in the Provincial as well as Central Government,
Deputy Secretary CENTO at Ankara, Joint Secretary in the Defence Department
and was later promoted as Additional Secretary in the same Department,
explained the background of his appointment as Director General of the Federal
Security Force. He stated that before his promotion as Additional Secretary he
had been superseded by four juniors and after promotion he was transferred to
the post of Managing Director, Board of Trustees of the Group Insurance and
Benevolent Funds in the Establishment Division which was a punishment post.
He particularly referred to his failure to see Mr. Vaqar Ahmad, Establishment
Secretary in spite of his efforts.
42. He stated that during the interview with the principal accused the latter
said kind words to him and after reminiscing about on their past- association
praised his capacity of hard work and offered to him the post of Director General
of the Federal Security Force. He also made a mention of the state of health of his
wife and of his (P.W.2) having young children. He asked the witness to be on the
right side’ of Mr. Vaqar Ahmad since Mr. Vaqar Ahmad did not like him (P.W.2).
43. The witness continued that the principal accused directed him not to seek
instructions from Khan Abdul Qayyum Khan, the then Minister of Interior. He
asked him to raise the force into a deterrent one because, as spelt out by him, he
wanted the people of Pakistan, his Ministers, MNAs and MPAs to fear it. He
however advised him not to terminate the services of re-employed officers
without his prior permission. In this connection he particularly mentioned Mian
Muhammad Abbas accused. He also told him that written directive had been
issued to the Force for the setting up of an Intelligence Wing.
44. Between the 12th of April, 1974 when the witness had an interview with
the principal accused and the 23rd of April, 1974 the witness was visited several
times by Mr. Saeed Ahmad Khan, P.W.3 (who was the then Chief Security
Officer to the principal accused and his Assistant, later Abdul Hamid Bajwa.
Abdul Hamid Bajwa did not mince matters in making it plain that if the witness
did not accept the job offered to him, his wife and children might not be able to
see him again. Similar apprehensions were expressed by Saeed Ahmad Khan
P.W.3, but in mild and persuasive language.
45. The witness stated that he assumed charge of his new office on the 23rd of
April, 1974. The charter of duties of this post was contained in the Federal
Security Force, Act, 1973. The principal accused gave to him an oral charter
stating that he wanted the Force to be available to him for political purposes, i.e.
for
a)—Breaking up of political meetings;
46. One of the functions discharged by the witness was to brief the Prime
Minister about the law and order situation in the country, the political situation
in the country, and information collected through sources about members of his
own party including some of his Ministers and those in the opposition.
47. The principal accused directed the witness to be present in the National
Assembly when he was attending the session or was in his own chamber in the
National Assembly. He also asked the witness to curtail his social life to the
barest minimum and to advise his wife to do accordingly.
48. The witness further stated that in June, 1974 when Ahmad Raza Kasuri
P.W. 1 was speaking in the National Assembly the principal accused addressed
him directly and not through the Speaker, and asked him to keep quiet. He also
stated something to the effect like that he had had enough of him and that he
would not tolerate his nuisance any more. A day or two later, the Prime Minister
sent for him and said to him that he was fed up with the obnoxious behavior of
Ahmad Raza Kasuri and Mian Muhammad Abbas accused knew all about his
activities. He also told that Mian Muhammad Abbas had already been given
directions through the (witnesses) predecessor to get rid of Ahmad Raza Kasuri.
The principal accused went on to instruct the witness that he should ask Mian
Muhammad Abbas to get on with the job and to produce the dead body of
Ahmad Raza Kasuri or his body bandaged all over. He told him that he would
hold him (witness) personally responsible for the execution of this order.
49. The witness protested against this order which according to him was
against his conscience and also against the dictates of God, but the principal
accused lost his temper and shouted that he would have no non-sense from him
or Mian Muhammad Abbas. He further said to him “you don’t want Vaqar
chasing you again, do you?”.
50. The witness called Mian Muhammad Abbas to his office and repeated to
him the orders of the principal accused. Mian Muhammad Abbas accused was
not the least disturbed and told the witness that he need not worry about it and
he would see that the orders were duly executed. He also said that he had been
reminded of this operation by the (witnesses) predecessor more than once.
52. The witness referred to the earlier incident of August, 1974 in which
Ahmad Raza Kasuri P.W. 1 was sniped at in Islamabad. He said that before this
incident the principal accused has asked him to take care of Ahmad Raza Kasuri
who was likely to visit Quetta. He accordingly told Welch P.W. 4, the then
Director Federal Security Force, Quetta that some anti state elements including
Ahmad Raza Kasuri P.W. 1 had to be got rid of. He also told him that Ahmad
Raza Kasuri was delivering anti state speeches and was doing damage to the
interest of the country. The witness reminded Welch P.W. 4 personally about this
on his visit to Quetta.
54. The witness admitted having received another report from Welch P.W. 4 a
photostat of which was provisionally marked Ex.P.W. 2/Z. A carbon copy was
later proved formally as Ex.P.W. 4/1. He also proved documents Ex.P.W. 2/2
and Ex.P.W. 2/3. For the proper appreciation of the facts it will be worthwhile to
mention the contents of these documents.
55. Ex.P.W. 4/1 dated 18th September, 1974 reported the departure of Ahmad
Raza Kasuri, P.W. 1 from Quetta on the 16th September, 1974 at 11.30 A.M. by
PIA. It also reported that throughout their stay at Quetta the party including
Ahmad Raza Kasuri were protected by twenty persons and that the party was
exceptionally cautious. The persons wishing to see the party were usually
searched by the persons who were detailed for their security. It further says that
even the times of their (party) movement were not disclosed and they spent little
or no time in the hotel room reserved for them. According to the report a source
had infiltrated into the ranks of the party claiming to be a relative of Sattar Khan
of Mardan, but he was detected when Sattar Khan himself arrived in Quetta.
Thereafter he was removed from the inner circle.
57. The witness stated that he was aware of the inquiry made in Ex.P.W. 212.
In fact he had been asking Mian Muhammad Abbas accused to inquire from
Welch P.W. 4 as to the steps taken by him regarding the directions given to him
about Ahmad Raza Kasuri, P.W. 1. The reference in the document Ex.P.W. 2/3
appeared to be an expression of inability by Welch (P.W. 4) to perform the duty.
58. The witness further stated that on the 11th of November, 1974 the
principal accused and he himself were camped at Multan. Very early in the
morning of that date the principal accused rang him up and said.
On being summoned, later to the residence of Sadiq Hussain Qureshi, Multan the
witness met the principal accused in the presence of Sadiq Hussain Qureshi. The
principal accused most non-calamity informed him of the news about the death
of the deceased in this case as if he had not talked to him before. The witness said
in reply that he had also heard about this.
59. The witness continued that on his return to Rawalpindi the principal accused
summoned him. He found him to be peeved and agitated. He said that the actual
task had yet to be accomplished. He, however, declined to carry out such orders
any more. Even on subsequent occasions the principal accused directed him to
get Ahmad Raza Kasuri, P.W. 1 assassinated, but he refused. Thereafter threats
were held out to him and attempts were made on his life as well as to kidnap his
children from the Aitcheson College, Lahore. Several times his food at Chamba
House was poisoned. He discovered that some of his own subordinates seemed
to have been bought over or won over since he had seen them lurking round at
places where they should not have been when he was around.
62. The witness also proved his T.A. Bills Ex. P.W. 2/7 pertaining to the
period from 1.11.1974 to 11.11.1974 to establish his visit to Multan and his
presence at Multan in the morning of 11th of November, 1974 and his departure
there from by PAF at 11.30 A.M. He also proved his T.A. Bills Ex. P.W. 2/9 and
P.W. 210 pertaining to the period 18th of July, 1974 to 4th of August, 1974 to
prove particularly his visit to Quetta.
The witness further conceded that persons from outside the Force had been
employed as ‘sources’ to gather information and to perform ‘secret mission’ and
64. The learned counsel for the principal accused cross-examined the witness in
detail about his assignments prior to his appointment as Director General,
Federal Security Force. He was cross-examined about his alleged role during the
language riots of 1952 in Dacca in which there were several casualties in police
firing. He was also questioned about his alleged unsavory role in an old case
against Mrs. Ibrat. It was suggested to him that Mrs. Ibrat was maltreated and
rats were left loose in her Shalwar and its ends were tied. It appears that these
questions were put to prove that P.V. 2 was well qualified from the point of view
of the principal accused to be appointed as Director General of the Federal
Security Force. He was also cross examined about his assertion that he was
posted to a punishment post when he was transferred as Managing Director,
Board of Trustees General Benevolent Fund and Group Insurance. He was asked
to explain when he was so appointed. He stated.-
“I had knowledge of the fact that arms and ammunition had been given to
Jam Sadiq Ali and late Mr. Abdul Hamid Bajwa, for operation against the
Hurs, in Sindh. After this information became available to me, I noticed a
certain amount of coolness in the dealings with me by the then Secretary
and I think in order to ensure that I did not blurt out the secret, the Prime
Minister sent Abdul Hamid Bajwa to me to keep my mouth shut. It was
after a short-while that I was transferred as Managing Director, Board of
Trustees, Central Benevolent and Group Insurance.”
On receipt of this reply the learned counsel cross-examined the witness at length
with a view to justify this supply of arms and ammunition in view of the alleged
disturbances in Sanghar District. He was later cross-examined with a view to
bring on record that he had imparted some information to Abdul Hafeez
Peerzada about the burning of records in the Intelligence Bureau. He conceded
having given this information in the national interest. He admitted that the
appreciation of this was communicated to him by the Military Secretary to the
President (the principal accused). He however denied having asked Abdul Hafiz
Peerzada to remember him in future since he had done a valuable job. He denied
having sent Qamar-ul-Islam to the principal accused or having requested Abdul
Hafiz Peerzada or having sent his wife to Mrs. Nusrat Bhutto to recommend his
name for the post of Director General F.S.F.
65. The witness was confronted with certain omissions in his earlier
statements, but he explained that his statement before the Court was in answer to
definite questions put by the learned Special Public Prosecutor. However, none
of these omissions amount in my opinion to contradiction within the meaning of
Section 145 Evidence Act. To a question whether the conspiracy to murder P.W. 1
had been hatched before he took over as Director General, Federal Security Force,
he answered that the principal accused had informed him that direction had
been given to Mian Muhammad Abbas through Malik Haq Nawaz Tiwana
(former Director General) to get rid of P.W. 1. He stated that he did not give any
plan to Mian Muhammad Abbas for committing the murder of P.W. 1 nor had
told him how and from where he could arrange arms and ammunition for the
purpose. He stated that Mian Abbas accused had assured him about the
execution of the orders of the principal accused.
66. Much of the cross-examination was directed towards showing that the
post of Director General, Federal Security Force was a prestigious post and
conferred considerable advantages upon the witness. He had to tour extensively
and thus had opportunity to earn travelling and daily allowances. While on tours
he stayed in renowned hotels and in deluxe suites. He toured abroad and
enjoyed travels to foreign countries, e.g. Korea and China, West Germany,
Belgium, U.S.A., Japan and U.K. and stayed in good hotels.
The witness however stated that during his tenure as Director General, F.S.F. he
suffered misery, torture and agony and in their respective spheres Vaqar Ahmad
and the principal accused were his enemies. The learned counsel then put
numerous questions to him that he was serving with great pomp and show and
that he was allowed to take his wife sometimes to foreign countries as an official
attendant and a sum of $ 500/- was sanctioned for her expenses, that he was
allowed purchase at State expense specacles with a hearing aid worth about
£482.30 and that the expense of the husband and his wife borne by the State
amounted to Rs. 50,000/.
67. Some questions were put to the witness to elicit from him whether he had
first directed Welch P.W. 4 to take care of P.W. 1 on telephone or on his tour to
Quetta, the witness answered as follows:
Same sequence was given by P.W. 4. Regarding the events of 3rd June, 1974 he
clarified during cross examination that he did not mean that Ahmad Raza Kasuri
P.W. 1 was making a formal speech or that he was speaking in his own right. He
could not recall whether he was speaking in his own right or not.
69. Some questions were put about the state of health of the witness and his
collapse at Ziarat. These questions were put to suggest to the witness that
because of his ailment and hyper-tension he succumbed to the pressure of the
Chief Martial Law Administrator and made this statement. The witness denied
this. He replied that he had borne his ailments throughout until his detention on
the 5th of July and afterwards. He added that the doctor who visited him in the
hospital was of the view that the blood pressure and heart condition of the
witness had never been better. This was the result of the peace of mind, despite
his detention.
70. Similarly after questioning him at length about his detention, about his
relationship with Seth Abid, about his confessions being involuntary and
obtained by coercion and undue influence, it was suggested to the witness that
he was induced’ and threatened to make a statement against the principal
accused in order to justify the overthrow of the “Prime Minister’s Government”
by the Chief of Army Staff, that he was promised pardon before he made the
confessional statement and that as a reward of the confessional statement, Seth
Abid, his relative has been granted the concessions of release of property,
immunity from prosecution and permission to establish a bank in the country.
The witness repelled all these suggestions.
72. He stated that he did not know Ghulam Hussain, Inspector, Federal
Security Force (P.W.31) , the other approver. A question was put to him that on
5.6.1974 Ghulam Hussain, Sub Inspector was awarded a first Gloss certificate and
cash prize of Rs. 500-. The witness stated that he did not remember the details
but such orders were passed in routine by the Director General on presentation
of reward rolls or notes of performance of duty of a nature warranting a reward,
without seeing or knowing the person to whom the award is made.
73. Regarding source reports he stated that such reports were sent to him directly
by name only in a few exceptional cases and they were kept in his confidential
almirah. Most of the reports were kept in the custody of Mian Muhammad
Abbas and some were kept in the custody of Abdul Haq, Deputy Director. Even
those reports which were kept in the confidential almirah and in custody of
Abdul Haq were by and large seen by Mian Abbas accused, who was Director,
Intelligence. He denied that he ever complained about non-cooperation by Mian
Muhammad Abbas accused.
74. Saeed Ahmad Khan who was appointed as Chief Security Officer to the
President on 11.8.1972 and after the election of the principal accused as Prime
Minister became Chief Security Officer to the Prime Minister, appeared as P.W.3.
He stated that while holding the post of Additional Inspector General of Police,
West Pakistan, he was dismissed from service under Martial Law Regulation 58
on 23.5.1970. He then set up two business organizations under the name of Pak
Field Corporation Limited with himself as its Managing Director and Saeed
Ahmad Associates, his sole Proprietary concern. He stated that he had met the
principal accused for the first time at Larkana when he visited it as a Deputy
Inspector General of Police in December, 1955. The principal accused had called
upon him as a lawyer on behalf of Sultan Chandeo, his client. Thereafter the
witness met him twice or thrice at Karachi and once at Quetta when he was a
member of the Central Cabinet.
75. The witness furnished details of his appointment as Chief Security Officer
of the President. He stated that he happened to go to Rawalpindi on a business
trip in August, 1972 and entered his name in the visitor’s book on the President’s
House. He was called by the President and he had an interview with him on the
11th of August, 1972 at 4.00 P.M. In this interview the principal accused
persuaded him to work for him and for the country, but the witness pointed out
The witness stated that he was required to advise the President and subsequently
the Prime Minister on political issues in the country and to keep him abreast of
the political activities. of various political parties. Important and daily
intelligence reports from the Intelligence Bureau, Inter Services Intelligence
Directorate and of the Provincial Special Branches also began to be supplied to
him at the end of 1972. After assessing these reports the witness used to send his
own appraisal to the principal accused. When in 1973, the work load increased
he asked for assistance from the principal accused on which he was instructed to
take late Abdul Hamid Bajwa as Officer on Special Duty with him. The principal
accused had suggested the name of Abdul Hamid Bajwa on the ground that
being a specialist on Punjab affairs he would prove useful. The witness stated
that during his absence on tours Abdul Ha mid Bajwa looked after his office and
even sat in his room where the facilities of the Sacrophone were available to him.
He found in due course that Abdul Hamid Bajwa had direct access to the
principal accused personally as well as on telephone and he was given direct
assignments. He would also send reports to the Prime Minister directly.
The witness continued that he was asked by the principal accused to send
reports on a number of persons including Ahmad Raza Kasuri and some other
renegades of the People’s Party. He, therefore, opened files on such persons. The
files in respect of Ahmad Raza Kasuri were also opened in the month of
December, 1973. These were Ex.P.W.3/1, P.W. 3/2 and P.W. 3/3.
76. He said that since Ahmad Raza Kasuri P.W. 1 had become very bitter and
critical, in fact virulent, against the principal accused, the latter issued order for
keeping him (P.W. 1) under strict surveillance. This was done by the Provincial
Special Branch. The telephone of P.W. 1 was tapped by the Intelligence Bureau.
77. The witness further stated that in the middle of 1974 the principal accused
in an interview with him abruptly asked him if he knew Ahmad Raza Kasuri. On
his reply that he did not know him personally the principal accused said that he
79. The witness stated that special inquiry tribunal was set up under the
Special Inquiry Tribunal Act. During the proceedings before the Tribunal the
name of the principal accused was mentioned. On this the latter rang up the
witness either from Larkana or Karachi and inquired from him as to where he
was. He replied that he was at Rawalpindi. On that he lost temper and rebuked
him (the witness) and said “what the hell are you doing in Rawalpindi when my
name is being taken before a Judicial Inquiry being held at Lahore by Justice
Shafi-ur-Rehman in the murder case of late Muhammad Ahmad Khan. What
kind of Chief Security Officer and Legal Advisor you are.” He directed the
witness to proceed to Lahore immediately and meet the Advocate General, the
Chief Secretary, the I. G. Police and the Investigating Officers and also look into
the case himself. The witness stated that on his arrival at Lahore he met with the
above mentioned persons on the 4th and 5th January, 1975. To his dismay he
found that there was no worth while progress in the investigation, although one
and a half month had elapsed since the murder.
80. According to the witness he came to know during the course of his
inquiry that the empties of the bullets used at the scene of offence were of 7.62
mm calibre which indicated the use of Chinese weapons in the official use of the
Federal Security Force. He also noticed the helplessness of the local police who
were deliberately avoiding to make investigation on this line.
82. He stated that the principal accused snubbed him and said that he should
keep out the Federal Security Force. He directed the witness to find out from the
Joint Army Detection Organisation (JADO), which is a part of the Inter Services
Intelligence Directorate, and whose main task is to find out and control illicit
traffic in arms in the country, whether arms of this calibre were available
elsewhere. He also directed him to write to the Defence Secretary in order to find
out as to which Army units the Chinese weapons were issued officially. He also
ordered the witness to make inquiries from Bara, a tribal territory, as to the
availability of arms of this calibre. In addition he also talked to the witness about
the family disputes of Ahmad Raza Kasuri, P.W. 1, his local political rivalries and
the previous litigation in his family and directed him to collect evidence
according to the above directions in order to help the Investigating Officers in the
investigation of the case and in the production of material before the Tribunal.
83. P.W. 3 said that when he came to Lahore he found that the investigation
had been entrusted recently to Malik Waris, DSP, C.I.A. It was decided in the
meeting of the officers mentioned above that the new Investigating Officer
would come to Rawalpindi and seek instructions from the witness on the subject.
Malik Waris and Sheikh Abdul Ahad, DSP therefore saw him on the 14th of
January, 1975. He sent Malik Waris to the Officer Incharge of the JADO in order
to find out whether the Chinese weapons of 7.62 mm were available elsewhere.
He informed the Officer In-charge that he was sending Malik Waris for this
purpose. The Investigating Officer brought to him a report Ex. P.W. 3;3-B from
the JADO to the effect that a number of service arms including 7.62 mm calibre
weapons could be purchased at Darra Adam Khel as well as in settled Districts
from underground elements. In view of this report he sent Malik Waris DSP to
Bara to find out if such weapons were available there. He also made an inquiry
from the Defence Secretary by letter Ex. P.W. 3:3-A dated 17.1.1975. The Defence
Secretary pointed out in his reply Ex. P.W. 3/3-C dated 20th of January, 1975 that
the Chinese weapons were in official use of the Federal Security Force, Frontier
Corp Units and Armed Corps Tank Crews.
84. The witness added that on receipt of the information (vide Ex. P.W. 3/3-C)
that the Chinese weapons were also in official use of the Federal Security Force,
he was perplexed since he had positive direction from the principal accused to
85. The witness deposed that he kept visiting Lahore in order to find out the
progress of the case before the Tribunal. Meanwhile Malik Waris, DSP had
collected some material regarding family disputes, political rivalries of Ahmad
Raza Kasuri P.W. 1 and his family and had even arrested a few suspects.
86. The witness stated that he was instructed to publicize the material
produced before the Tribunal which was favorable from the point of view of the
principal accused. In support of this statement he referred to letter Ex. P.W. 3/3D
dated 1.2.1975 by which he instructed the Director General (Information) to
arrange publication of portions of the statements of SSP Lahore and Malik Waris
DSP before the Tribunal, which were sidelined by him. It may be stated that the
signature of the principal accused P.W. 3/3-E on this document proves that it
was seen by him and that it had his approval. The witness continued that in
pursuance of this direction wide publicity was given by the Ministry of
Information and Broadcasting to the above statements through Pakistan Times,
Nawa-i-Waqt etc., as is evident from Ex. P.W. 3/3-F which bears the initials of
the witness (Ex. P.W. 3/3-G) and the initials of Abdul Hamid Bajwa (Ex. P.W.
3/13-H). The witness also referred to the clippings of the newspaper which
appear at pages 99 to 203 in Ex. P.W. 3/3.
87. The witness further deposed that the Tribunal gave its report on the 27th
of February, 1975. He put up a note P.W. 3/3-I to the principal accused on the
28th of February, 1975 pointing out that the Tribunal had criticized the lapses in
the investigation at the initial stages, but seemed to have felt satisfied with the
investigation carried on later by the DSP, C.I.A. He recommended the
publication of relevant portions of the report with a view (as is clear from this
document) “to clear the position, emanating as a result of this incident”, since
“various possibilities and probable causes of this murder have been enumerated”
in it. This note (Ex. P.W. 3134) came back to the witness with a note (Ex. P.W.
3134) from the principal accused that he would decide this after seeing the report.
The matter was therefore kept pending.
88. The witness stated that the Chief Secretary, Punjab sent the copy of the
report of the Tribunal to him with D.O. Letter Ex. P.W. 3/3-K. He asked his office
89. The witness elaborated this incident by saying that he had been meeting
with Hanif Ramay, the Chief Minister of Punjab given up by the prosecution as
having been won over, occasionally in connection with this case. He referred to a
D.O. letter (later proved as P.W. 3513) written by Hanif Ramay which the
principal accused marked to the witness. It may be clarified that with this letter
was enclosed the Tribunal’s report. It is stated in the letter that the report had
been discussed with the witness. The Chief Minister sought guidance in it
whether the report should be published. The witness stated that this letter was
marked by the principal accused to him with the query “what was the point of
discussing it with you?” It also enjoined upon him to discuss with the principal
accused. The witness therefore saw the principal accused who pointed out to him
that the report shall not be publicized as it was adverse and that he should have
nothing to do with the case any more. It may be stated that the above remark
attributed to the principal accused is proved by the entry of 19th March, 1975 in
the Diary Dispatch Register Ex. P.W. 27/2.
90. The witness also furnished details of the story how Ahmad Raza Kasuri
was made to rejoin the Pakistan Peoples Party. He stated that in the middle of
1975 there was a rift growing up between Ahmad Raza Kasuri and the Tehrik-e-
Istiqlal Chief, Air Marshal (Retired) Asghar Khan. He was instructed by the
principal accused to try to win over Ahmad Raza Kasuri and bring him back to
the PPP fold. Since the witness did not know Ahmad Raza Kasuri, he told the
principal accused that he would ask Abdul Hamid Bajwa to initiate the matter,
but the said accused informed him that Mr. Bajwa had already been given
instructions on the subject.
91. Abdul Hamid Bajwa initiated talks with Ahmad Raza Kasuri and
persuaded him to see the witness.
92. The witness stated that in his first meeting with Ahmad Raza Kasuri he
asked him to consider rejoining the Pakistan Peoples Party, of which he claimed
to be a founder member since he had parted company with Air Marshal (Retired)
Asghar Khan. On this Ahmad Raza Kasuri retorted how could he rejoin a party
headed by the principal accused who had been responsible for the murder of his
father and was also after his blood. The witness told him that it was all the more
reason that he should make up with the principal accused and not put his life in
jeopardy as he knew that he was a marked man. He also told him that if he
93. The learned counsel for the confessing accused asked the witness whether
the principal accused was temperamentally opposed to the criticism about
himself. He answered that mostly it was so but he could not generalize his
answer any further. He stated that he knew Mian Muhammad Abbas accused
but he had no knowledge whether he visited the Prime Minister’s House.
94. Mr. D. M. Awan, appearing for the principal accused cross-examined him
on his previous service, his association as well as the association of his father and
brother with the family of the principal accused, about the authenticity of the
story about appearance of the principal accused before him in connection with
the case of Sultan Chandeo, appointment of his brother and brother-in-law
through the good offices of the father of the principal accused, the business
started by him after his dismissal from the post of DIG, reports submitted by him
on what he called Karachi Affairs, Sind University Affairs, NWFP Affairs, the
Language Problem in Sindhu Desh, his requests for interview with the principal
accused and his meetings with him and the discussion between him and Vaqar
Ahmad, Secretary, Establishment Division, for fixing his designation as Chief
Security Officer. The suggestion regarding the reports about the affairs of the
Provinces was with a view to show that it was in conse¬quence of these reports
that the witness was appointed as a Chief Security Officer. In this connection, he
was confronted with Exs. P.W. 3/11-D dated 22.8.1972, P.W. 3/12-D dated
28.8.1972, P.W. 3/13-D dated 30.8.1972 and Ex. P.W. 3/14-D dated 6.9.1972,
letters written by the witness to the principal accused although none of these
documents establishes that they pertained to the period prior to his appointment.
Ex. P.W. 3/11-D on the other hand goes to show that the designation “Chief
Security Officer” was under consideration prior to the 22nd of August, 1972
while other letters pertain to subsequent dates, Ex. P.W. 3/13-D and Ex. P.W.
3/14-D establish that a requests for personal interview for conveying vital
95. It may be stated that the note Ex. P.W. 3/16-D is a note reporting to the
principal accused the meetings of the witness with Ahmad Raza Kasuri and that
he had realized that his future lay with the Peoples Party. It also conveyed his
request for “an audience with the Prime Minister at his convenience.” It also
proves that it travelled to the principal accused through his Secretary. The two
endorsements are as follows:-
1. “He must be kept on the rails, he must repent and he must crawl
before he meets me. He has been a dirty dog. He has called me a
mad man. He has gone to the extent of accusing me of killing his
father. He is a lick. He is ungrateful. Let him stew in his juice for
some time.
Sd/- Z. A. Bhutto
29.7”
2. “Please file.
Sd/- Z. A. Bhutto
29.7
P.S.”
96. It was suggested to the witness that Ahmad Raza Kasuri himself was keen
to see the Prime Minister. The witness denied this and reiterated that he was first
97. The witness also proved another note submitted by him to the Secretary to
the Prime Minister dated 13.11 .1975 (Ex. P.W. 3 17-D). He identified the
signature of the principal accused as well as the signature of his Secretary, Mr.
Afzal Saeed on this document.
98. This document was also put to the witness since it consists of a request to
the principal accused for grant of an audience to Ahmad Raza Kasuri. The
witness volunteered that in his personal interview with the principal accused
regarding the question of grant of interview to Ahmad Raza Kasuri who had
been asking for the same after he had been won over, the principal accused had
told him that this question should be left to him since he was the master of
timings and would call him when he would think best.
99. The witness further proved at the instance of the learned counsel for
defence, another note sent by him on the 5th of December, 1975, to the Secretary
to the Prime Minister (Ex. P.W. 3118-D) reporting the request of Ahmad Raza
Kasuri for an interview and the willingness of Sardar Izzat Hayat of the Tehrik-e-
Istiqlal also to join the Party. He also proved on it the endorsement of the
principal accused:
“I will see Ahmad Raza Kasuri in Pindi. Please return the file after
you have noted.”
marked to the Military Secretary. The witness was confronted with this
document to enable him to explain why did he have to write this note again
when the principal accused had already consented to grant an interview to
Ahmad Raza Kasuri when he considered necessary. He explained that Izzat
Hayat also wanted to join the Party and certain other developments had taken
place as Ahmad Raza Kasuri was being pressurized by the opposition parties
and the old guard of the Tehrik-e-Istiqlal. He further stated that the principal
accused granted an interview to Ahmad Raza Kasuri probably in the first half of
1976.
101. He was questioned at length about the statement made by him regarding
association with the investigation and his meetings with different officers. A
question was also put to him about the origin of the information that 7.62 mm
calibre ammunition was in the official use of the Federal Security Force. He
stated that this information was given to him by Abdul Wakil Khan DIG of
Police, Lahore P.W. 14, Asghar Khan SSP, Lahore, P.W. 12 and Abdul Ahad,
DSP„ Supervising Officer in this case. Further questions on this point did not
elicit any answer favorable to the .defence.
102. He was questioned about the files and whether such files were already
opened much earlier by the DIG and the Special Branch even before the principal
accused took over as President of Pakistan. He denied any knowledge of the
matter. He also denied any knowledge whether the files relating to MNAs were
opened by the Intelligence Agency. When questioned as to why he wrote to the
DIG for the file of Ahmad Raza Kasuri, he stated that he had obtained the
personality sheet of Ahmad Raza Kasuri from the DIG under the directions of
the principal accused.
103. The witness stated that he acted as Chief Security Officer up to the 15th
June, 1976, when he took over as Special Officer, Hyderabad Conspiracy case,
under the orders of the Cabinet Secretary. He gave reasons for his appointment
as such. He refuted that any inquiry was instituted against him on the request of
Khan Abdul Qayyum Khan to the principal accused but stated that he had
written a note to the said accused against the directive of Khan Abdul Qayyum
Khan but the accused had sent that file to Khan Abdul Qayyum Khan and thus
compromised his position.
104. The witness was confronted with his letter of apology to the principal
accused (Ex. P.W. 3,15-D) in which he admitted having used his name at times to
elicit the required information to which course the accused had taken exception
in the presence of the two Intelligence Chiefs. He owned the contents of the
documents dated the 6th October, 1972.
106. Mervyn Ruper Welch, Director, Federal Security Force, Quetta appeared
as P.W. 4. He stated that his duties comprised of maintaining the forces under his
command, keeping an eye on the political leaders and their activities as well as
keeping watch on anti-Government elements. He was also required to submit
intelligence reports on the activities of the aforementioned persons which he
typed himself and of which he maintained copies. According to him, the reports
were generally sent to the Director General FSF, Rawalpindi by designation, but
if they related to very confidential matters, they were sent to the Director General
by name.
107. He stated that Masood Mahmud P.W. 2 visited Quetta in the month of
July, 1974, in connection with the tour of the principal accused. P.W. 2 was
staying at Lourdes Hotel. He sent for him one day and said that the enemies of
Pakistan must be eliminated and this was expected from every loyal citizen. He
mentioned the name of Ahmad Raza Kasuri P.W. 1 and said that he had been
obnoxious in his speeches against the Prime Minister and he should therefore be
eliminated.
109. The witness further stated that although P.W. 1 had a room reserved in
Imdad Hotel, he did not actually reside there. The Party Workers of Tehrik-e-
Istiqlal had watched the rooms in Imdad Hotel occupied by the members of the
Party. They were cautious regarding the movements of their leaders and did not
disclose their movements. They searched the person of any one desirous of
meeting the political leaders.
111. The learned counsel for the confessing accused asked the witness whether
he had to comply with orders which were not covered by the charter of duties.
He admitted this but stated that he did not carry out orders which were criminal.
112. In cross-examination by the learned counsel for the principal accused the
witness stated that it was a part of his duty to keep round-the-clock watch on
politicians and to find out where they resided and when they were scheduled to
move from one place to another. Similarly it was a routine to send reports like
Ex.P.W.2/1, Ex.P.W.4/1 and Ex.P.W.2/3 to the higher officers. He conceded that
a ‘source’ had infiltrated in the meeting of the party of which P.W. 1 was a
member but was later discovered. He was asked about certain omission in his
earlier statement, but he explained that those were brief statements and
moreover no question was put to him by the Magistrate or by the F.I.A. implying
thereby that the portion of the statement made in Court, missing- from the earlier
statements, was made on questions of the learned Special Public Prosecutor and
was more elaborate.
114. A number of questions were put to the witness about his visit to Lahore in
connection with the investigation of this case by the Federal Investigation
Agency. The witness stated that he had made a voluntary statement. He denied
that it was false or was made under pressure.
115. In reply to question by the learned counsel for Mian Muhammad Abbas
the witness stated he did not contradict P.W. 2 but kept quiet on his direction to
kill P.W. 1 because if he had acted otherwise he would have dubbed him as an
officer disloyal to Pakistan and would have initiated action against him for that
reason. He denied the suggestion that while serving under P.W. 2 he was under
“a constant danger’ to his life and threat to his family honour. He also denied
that P.W. 2 was considered in the Federal Security Force as a terror; he was,
however, a very efficient officer. He denied that Mian Muhammad Abbas ever
reported against him for lack of control in an inquiry against Mustafa Jan,
Deputy Director, Federal Security Force for his alleged involvement in
smuggling.
116. The witness had stated in his examination in chief that the photo-stat copy
Ex. P.W. 2/2 of the original report Ex. P.W. 4/1 was collected by him from Mian
Muhammad Abbas accused while he was still working in his office as Director
after his appearance before the Inquiry Team. It was suggested to him that it was
given to him not by Mian Muhammad Abbas but by Nazir Ahmad, Deputy
Director. The witness denied the suggestion. A different suggestion was put to
him that Mr. Shikri a member of the Enquiry Team had directed Mian
Muhammad Abbas accused on telephone to arrange for the copy. The witness
denied this.
117. Ghulam Hussain P.W. 31 stated that after his retirement as Naib Subedar
from the Army where he served for 14 years as a commando, he joined the FSF
on the 3rd of December, 1973, after an interview with the then Director General
of the Force, namely, Malik Haq Nawaz Tawana. He was questioned in this
interview about his education, service as commando and Commando Courses.
His paper posting was in Batallion No. 5 but an oral order was given by Mian
Muhammad Abbas accused that he would work under him at the Headquarters.
One or two days after he joined FSF, he was assigned a special duty at Larkana
by Mian Muhammad Abbas and after having performed his duty, he was posted
back in March, 1974, to Battalion No. 5 which was stationed at Rawalpindi.
119. In the end of May, 1974, Mian Muhammad Abbas accused summoned the
witness to his office and enquired from him about the methods that he would
adopt for kidnapping or murdering a person. The witness was asked to reduce
his answer into writing. He complied with the orders but Mian Muhammad
Abbas accused kept the paper with him.
120. Mian Muhammad Abbas again sent for the witness two or three weeks
later and enquired from him whether he knew Ahmed Raza Kasuri P.W. 1. On
his answering in the negative Mian Muhammad Abbas ordered him to find him
out and for this purpose gave him several addresses where he could possibly
contact him (Ahmad Raza Kasuri). Since he made it clear that he would not be
able to identify him, Mian Muhammad Abbas deputed Head Constable Zaheer,
one of the trainees at the Commando Camp, to accompany him on the quest.
Mian Muhammad Abbas placed a jeep and a driver at the disposal of the witness
and asked him to use the jeep after changing the number plate.
121. The witness continued the search for P.W. 1 and ultimately not only
located and identified him but also found out his residence which was situated
behind the house of Field Marshal Muhammad Ayub Khan in Islamabad.
122. Mian Muhammad Abbas again summoned the witness in the beginning of
August, 1974, and asked him about the result of his efforts in connection with the
search for Ahmad Raza Kasuri P.W. 1. On his informing him that he had located
and identified P.W. 1 and found his residence also, he said that it would be his
duty to remove P.W. 1 from the path of the principal accused and that it was an
order given by Masood Mahmood P.W. 2. The witness stated that by the
expression “removal of Mr. Kasuri” Mian Muhammad Abbas accused meant that
123. Mian Muhammad Abbas gave to the witness a chit and directed him to
obtain a sten-gun, a pistol, two magazines and ammunition from Fazal Ali P.W.
24. The witness took the chit to Fazal Ali and in accordance with the order of
Mian Muhammad Abbas accused asked him not to make an entry of the issue
of these arms and ammunition in the register but to issue them on his bare
receipt. Since Fazal Ali was not prepared to issue any material without first
entering it in the register. Mian Muhammad Abbas directed the witness to fetch
Fazal Ali. When the latter went to him, Mian Muhammad Abbas repeated the
orders to him and threatened that disobedience of the order would land him in
trouble with him and that he would also lose his job. On Fazal Ali’s expressing
his willingness to comply with the order the witness accompanied him to the
Armoury where he (Fazal Ali) handed over to him a sten-gun with two
magazines, a pistol with two magazines and ammunition for both. The witness
handed over a receipt to him and took these things to the Commando Camp.
Fazal Ali did not make any entry in his register.
124. The witness started following Ahmad Raza Kasuri and also detailed H.C.
Allah Bukhsh usually known as Bakhshoo and Constable Mulazim Hussain who
were both trainees at the camp, to assist him in this campaign.
125. Mian Muhammad Abbas called the witness to his office again on the 20th
of August, 1974, and complained to him that he had not performed the task
assigned to him although he was getting him promoted as Inspector. He
exhorted him to pay attention to the task because Masood Mahmood P.W. 2 was
unhappy as the principal accused had started abusing him (P.W. 2) because of
this procrastination. He further threatened him that any further inaction on his
part might endanger his own life. According to the witness, it came to his notice
during those days that Mian Muhammad Abbas accused had also detailed
another team who had instructions to do away with the witness in case he failed
to perform the task assigned to him and then proceed to perform it.
127. The witness stated that he left Rawalpindi for Islamabad at 12.30 P.M. in
his blue jeep with H.C. Allah Bakhsh and F.C. Mulazim Hussain. Mian Khan
Driver drove the jeep, the genuine number plate of which had been removed in
compliance with the orders of Mian Muhammad Abbas.
128. When the witness reached the M.N.A. Hostel, he found the car of Ahmad
Raza Kasuri, P.W. 1 parked at a place between the said hostel and the National
Assembly Building. He saw Ahmad Raza Kasuri P.W. 1 sitting in his car and
talking to another person who stood outside. The witness proceeded towards the
Assembly Building after instructing his companions not to open fire on the car of
Ahmad Raza Kasuri P.W. 1 since a stranger was standing near him. He parked
the jeep under a tree and kept watch on Ahmad Raza Kasuri. After some time
Ahmad Raza Kasuri P.W. 1 proceeded to the M.N.A. Hostel. The witness stated
that he was in a fix because on the one hand he found that Ahmad Raza Kasuri
had given him so much encouragement on the telephone and had even come to
the rendezvous to meet him, while on the other he was supposed to put him to
death. He remained absorbed in these thoughts till 3.00 P.M. when he came to a
decision not to commit the offence but to save the life of P.W. 1.
129. He then saw the car of Ahmad Raza Kasuri emerging from the M.N.A.
Hostel. Allah Bakhsh, Head Constable had gone at that time to take tea. He
directed the Driver to drive the jeep. He ordered Mulazim Hussain who was
armed with sten-gun and two fully loaded magazines to fire in the air when
directed. The witness was himself armed with a pistol.
130. P.W. 1 was heading towards his residence. When he reached near an
intersection he switched on the right indicator of his car. When the jeep was
about to reach the intersection the witness directed the driver to take the jeep to
the left and ordered Mulazim , Hussain to open fire through the rear window of
the jeep, the blind of which had already been rolled up, the moment the car
reached the intersection.
131. Mulazim Hussain compiled with the orders and when he fired the first
burst Ahmad Raza Kasuri P.W. 1 glanced towards the left and sped on. The jeep
of the witness was then driven through a circuitous route to the FSF
Headquarters.
133. After his return to the office Mian Muhammad Abbas questioned the
witness about the details and after hearing him he reprimanded him and showed
his surprise that a commando who had been given automatic weapons and a jeep
had allowed the quarry to escape in broad day-light. He said that his failure to
complete the mission had exposed the whole thing and this had made the Prime
Minister very angry. He then directed him to remain on the job but to be cautious.
He ordered him to carry out the task but not to fire in the air. He also
admonished him that he was not supposed to give Ahmad Raza Kasuri time to
collect his wits and that he should finish him off quickly.
134. The witness rang up the number of P.W. 1 again after a day or two but
was informed that the later was not available. On his further query he was
informed that he had gone out of Rawalpindi and it was not known when he
would return.
135. The witness informed Mian Muhammad Abbas about this on which the
latter ordered him to return the weapons to the armoury and to carry out a
reconnaissance in order to trace the whereabouts of P.W. 1. He also advised him
to obtain arms from the nearest battalion after he was able to locate him.
136. The witness replaced the empties of 7 rounds which had been fired, with
live cartridges, from the Commando Camp and returned the sten-gun and the
ammunition to Fazal Ali P.W. 24, who returned to him the receipt.
137. Mian Muhammad Abbas accused ordered the witness to depute Head
Constables Zaheer and Liaquat from the Commando Camp to go to Lahore and
search Ahmad Raza Kasuri. The witness complied with the order. After some
time in October, 1974 but before Eid, Mian Muhammad Abbas sent for the
witness and informed him that his men had been enjoying holidays at Lahore
and had done nothing and that the Prime Minister was abusing him since no
progress had been made. The witness replied that he would himself leave
immediately after Eid for Lahore. Mian Muhammad Abbas however directed
138. The witness stayed at Lahore for about ten days and after finding out the
whereabouts of Ahmad Raza Kasuri he proceeded back to Rawalpindi where he
noted his arrival in the Roznamcha of Battalion No. 4 vide entry Ex. P.W. 3/2
dated 26.10.1974.
139. The witness reported to Mian Muhammad Abbas that he had found the
whereabouts of P.W. 1 and that his men were watching him (P.W. 1). He asked
for further orders. Mian Muhammad Abbas accused directed him to take the
ammunition from the Commando Camp and proceed to Lahore with Rana
Iftikhar Ahmad accused who was one of the commandos. He informed him that
Soofi Ghulam Mustafa accused would provide him arms and a jeep. He further
directed him to try to exchange the ammunition of the Commandos Camp with
similar ammunition from some other source so that it could not be discovered
that the ammunition had been supplied by the FSF.
140. The witness took the ammunition from the Commando Camp. He also
took Rana Iftikhar with him and as instructed by Mian Muhammad Abbas both
of them got their departure recorded in the daily diary of Battalion No. 5 (Ex.
P.W. 313) without showing their destination. They proceeded to Lahore the same
day.
141. On reaching Lahore the witness contacted Soofi Ghulam Mustafa at the
FSF Headquarters in Shah Jamal and apprised him that he had been sent by
Mian Muhammad Abbas for killing Ahmad Raza Kasuri P.W. 1. Soofi Ghulam
Mustafa stated that he had already been informed of his arrival on telephone by
Mian Muhammad Abbas accused and that the latter had asked him to help the
witness. He further said that he had already been told that the mission was to be
accomplished by Iftikhar and Arshad Iqbal and the witness with his help. The
witness informed Soofi Ghulam Mustafa about the ammunition and that he was
supposed to provide him arms and the jeep.
142. After three or four days, Soofi Ghulam Mustafa apprised the witness of a
telephone call received by him from Mian Muhammad Abbas who was annoyed
that no positive steps had by that time been taken to accomplish the mission. He
143. Soofi Ghulam Mustafa informed the witness that he had already obtained a
sten-gun and that another one would be procured shortly. The following day, he
informed him that he had brought another sten-gun from the battalion of Amir
Badshah Khan P.W. 20, which was stationed at Walton.
145. They then returned to their office in Shah Jamal after taking tea in Ichhra.
They held a conference, settled a plan and the site for firing, and took the
weapons. The witness took a pistol with two magazines containing 16 rounds
while Arshad Iqbal and Iftikhar Ahmad were given a each fully loaded with two
magazines.
147. The witness directed Arshad Iqbal to open fire in the air the moment he
saw that Ahmad Raza Kasuri’s car was about to pass by him. He ordered Iftikhar
Ahmad to open fire at tho; first car which came before him after Arshad Iqbal
fired in the air. The witness explained the reason for directing Arshad Iqbal
accused to fire in the air. He stated that Arshad Iqbal was facing the Shamianas
and if he had fired at the car, people in the Shamianas might be hit. Similarly,
there was danger of injuries being caused to other persons going in cars or
walking on the road. The final reason was that the fire in the air would be a
caution to Iftikhar Ahmad accused since he could not see the car arriving from
the side where the wedding was taking place.
148. The witness himself started pacing the road which branches off from the
road in front of Iftikhar Ahmad. - This road was not lit. The witness, however,
came to the intersection a number of times to keep Arshad Iqbal and Iftikhar on
guard and also to find out whether participants had started leaving the place of
wedding.
149. The witness heard the sound of firing at about mid-night. The second and
third bursts followed after short intervals. He hurriedly reached the intersection
from the branch road which he was pacing. He saw shortly thereafter a car
without head-light emerging from the road which links the road that he was
pacing with the road that came from the house where the wedding was held. The
car proceeded - on the way which leads to the canal. The witness realized that
this must be the car of P.W. 1 because it was the first car which passed by him
after the first burst was fired. He presumed that the car had not been hit and that
Ahmad Raza Kasuri had switched off his lights in order to save his life. The
witness proceeded to¬wards the Tomb of Shah-Jamal Sahib and was soon over-
taken by Arshad Iqbal and Rana Iftikhar Ahmad accused. He expressed his
apprehension to them that the person driving the car was alright and had not
been injured. Arshad Iqbal, however, told him that he had fired in the air after
identifying the correct car, while Rana Iftikhar Ahmad informed him that he had
fired at the first car which came before him after Arshad Iqbal fired in the air,
and that he had correctly aimed at the car before firing.
151. Next morning Ghulam Mustafa rang up the Ichhra Police Station and on
his inquiry about the firing incident he was informed that it was not a case of
dacoity; Ahmad Raza Kasuri had been fired at but his father was hit and as a
result of injuries had died. Ghulam Mustafa tried to contact Mian Muhammad
Abbas accused on telephone at Rawalpindi, but he was not available there. He
rang up at his house and received information from there that Mian Muhammad
Abbas had left for Peshawar. Ghulam Mustafa then inquired from the Control
Room at Rawalpindi about the whereabouts of Mian Muhammad Abbas and
contacted the later on the telephone number given to him. He was also informed
that Mian Muhammad Abbas would be coming to his office at 9.00 A.M. Ghulam
Mustafa was ultimately able to contact Mian Muhammad Abbas at 9.00 A.M. in
the presence of the witness and gave him the news of the death of the deceased.
Mian Muhammad Abbas directed him to ask the witness to return to Rawalpindi.
152. The witness allowed the other accused to go to their homes with an
instruction that they should return after 8 to 10 days. On the following day i.e.
the 12th November, 1974, Masood Mahmood’s (P.W.2) car arrived at the
Headquarters, just as the witness was preparing to leave. He asked Manzoor
Hussain, driver of the car (P.W. 21), for lift to Rawalpindi. He travelled in that
car and on reaching Rawalpindi he contacted Mian Muhammad Abbas.
153. Mian Muhammad Abbas accused called the witness to his house. The
witness went there and narrated to Mian Muhammad Abbas all that had
happened. The latter consoled him by saying that if God was saving Ahmad
Raza Kasuri they could not kill him. The witness made it clear to him that what
he and his companions had done was the result of coercion and undue influence
and he was not prepared to repeat it again.
154. On a query from Mian Muhammad Abbas accused if he had left anything
incriminating at the spot which might disclose that it was an F.S.F. exploit he told
him that the spent ammunition had been left there since it could not be found
because of darkness and the grass. He (Mian Muhammad Abbas) asked him not
to bother about the empties and that he would take care of them. The said
155. After the winding up of the camp, the witness returned to Fazal Ali P.W.
24, the remaining ammunition, live as well as spent, on the basis of a road
certificate Ex.P.W. 24/9. Fazal Ali refused to accept the same since the
ammunition was short by 51 empties, including the 30 cartridges fired at Lahore
and 7 at Islamabad. The rest had been lost during the practice firing by the
trainees. Fazal Ali P.W. 24 detected the shortage after physical checking and
declined to accept the consignment without 51 spent cartridges being supplied to
him. The witness reported the matter to Mian Muhammad Abbas who asked him
to report back to him after 3 or 4 days during which period he would be able to
make some arrangement. The witness went to Mian Muhammad Abbas after 3
or 4 days. He gave him a Khaki Envelope containing 51 empty cases of sten-gun
ammunition, which he returned all the ammunition to Fazal Ali on the basis of
road certificate referred to above:
156. The witness did not get the entry of his return incorporated in the Daily
Diary for 8 or 10 days since he had been so ordered by Mian Muhammad Abbas.
157. Again under instructions from the latter he had an entry of his departure
recorded on 22.11.1974 for Peshawar (Ex.P.W. 31/4). The entry of return from
Peshawar was made on 29.11.1974 (Ex.P.W. 31/5). He did not however, go to
Peshawar and remained throughout in Rawalpindi.
158. The witness on instruction from Mian Muhammad Abbas claimed his
travelling and daily allowance for Karachi for the months of October and
November, 1974 and submitted T.A/ D.A. Bills (Ex.P.W. 31/6). This bill was
scrutinized by Mian Muhammad Abbas to ensure that the witness had not
indicated his presence at Lahore during the days of occurrence, and was after
approval passed on to. the “Accountant to deal.”
159. The witness applied by application Ex. PW. 9/1 to the District Magistrate
for pardon, on the 13th August, 1977. He was produced before P.W. 9 on the 13th
August, 1977 and after grant of pardon was sent to another Magistrate. At that
time, the witness was accompanied by the Assistant Superintendent, Camp Jail,
Lahore. Thereafter his statement Ex. P.W. 10/11 was recorded by the Magistrate
(P.W. 10). The witness concluded his statement by saying that the firing at
Islamabad and at Lahore on Ahmad Raza Kasuri had been made due to pressure
and coercion. He himself had no animosity with Ahmad Raza P.W. 1, nor did he
know him.
161. Questions were put to him whether it was possible for the empties in the
Islamabad incident to fall outside the jeep on the road. He stated that an empty is
always ejected from a sten-gun in such a way that it is thrown outside towards
the right and in front of the muzzle. He stated that in case a sten-gun is fired
from the jeep, the empty would fall within the jeep only if in the course of being
ejected it hits some other object and its progress is altered.
162. The witness further stated that two or three days before the occurrence,
while they were going to wards Model Town in a jeep without number-plate,
they were checked between the Canal Bridge on the Ferozepur Road and near
the Atomic Energy Centre, by Sardar Abdul Wakil Khan DIG, Lahore, P.W. 14, at
about 10.00 P.M. He objected to their travelling in the jeep without number plate
and on inquiry from him the witness told him that he was an Inspector in the
Federal Security Force and was preceding to wards Walton to one its units. He
explained that the jeep was without number-plate since it had been brought from
the workshop that very day. P.W. 14 spoke to somebody on the wireless and then
informed him that he had spoken to Mr. Mallhi (Irfan Ahmad Mallhi, Director,
Federal Security Force).
163. He stated that Mr. Mallhi summoned him and Ghulam Mustafa to his
house and informed them about what had transpired between him and P.W. 14
who had ordered him not to permit his men to roam about in a jeep without
number-plate.
164. He stated that Arshad Iqbal was later attacked at Lahore outside his house
in Ichhra but in that attack his brother Amjad was murdered. He admitted that
Arshad Iqbal told him after the occurrence that he had submitted his resignation
more than once but it was not accepted. According to the witness undue
influence and coercion for an attempt on Ahmad Raza Kasuri’s life was exercised
by Mian Muhammad Abbas.
166. In his statement Ex. P.W. 101111, the witness stated that the day Mian
Muhammad Abbas enquired from him about the methods of kidnapping and
murdering any person, he was directed by him to chase and identify Ahmad
Raza Kasuri and when he was confronted with that statement the witness stated
that between 18th and 19th August when he had already applied for being made
an approver, Mian Muhammad Abbas who had come to know about it, sent a
message through a convict begging him to save him also in case he was granted
pardon. He had made that statement for the reason that Mian Muhammad Abbas
may not be implicated to a very large extent. He stated that a similar statement
had been made by him on the 11th August, 1977. When confronted with that
statement, the witness gave the same explanation that in that statement also he
had given an outline.
167. When asked about the delay in locating P.W. 1, he stated that after the
jeep had been delivered to him he had been charged with so many duties that it
was difficult for him to separate the performance of one from the other, for
example, he had to identify the Joint Secretary and pull him up and there were
two labour leaders who were also to be similarly pulled up and asked to behave.
In relation to certain question put to the witness about his statement dated the
11th August, 1977, the witness pleaded lack of memory. It is not necessary to
reproduce those portions from the cross-examination since despite the recall of
P.W. 10 for the proof of such statements; the said statement was not proved.
168. On being confronted with the statement that Mian Muhammad Abbas had
directed him to obtain two sten-guns and 400 rounds from Fazal Ali Inspector,
Armory, P.W. 24, he stated that in spite of this he asked for only one sten-gun
with two fully loaded magazines containing 20 rounds each with 60 rounds
spare and pistol with its magazines and ammunition since he thought that it was
enough for the completion of the mission.
171. He was questioned with a view to show that during his stay in the Camp
Jail he was in a position to contact Masood Mahmood or that the officers of the
Federal Security Force had been meeting him, but he denied the suggestion. He
repudiated the suggestion that his statement was made under pressure from the
F.I.A. or that any portion of his statement was false. Certain omissions in his
previous statement were pointed out to him but he generally answered that he
had made the statement in Court on questions being put to him.
172. He conceded that every battalion had its own armory, but stated that
ammunition had not been supplied to the battalions when he drew the arms
from the Headquarters. He explained that it was necessary for Mian Muhammad
Abbas to give a chit to him to obtain the arms from the Headquarters because the
arms could be drawn only in the name of an officer and consequently had to be
obtained in the name of Ghulam Hussain Butt, Deputy Director.
173. According to him, the Commando Course was meant for the personnel
attached to the 4th and 5th battalions. He repelled the suggestion that Road
Certificates Ex. P.W. 24/7 and Ex. P.W. 24/9 were forged. He stated that they
could be corroborated by the ledgers of the armory. It was suggested to him that
there was no Commando Camp and the Commando Courses were being held in
the respective Battalions, but he denied it. He stated that he did not make any
entry of 1500 rounds and ammunition in any register. He explained further that
he drew the arms and ammunition from the 5th Battalion when he proceeded in
uniform to perform the duty, but whenever he proceeded in Mufti on the
instructions of Mian Muhammad Abbas to perform any duty he drew arms and
ammunition from the armory at the Headquarters.
176. He was questioned about the Islamabad incident particularly about the
location where his jeep was parked. He, however, repelled the suggestion that
Ahmad Raza Kasuri did not visit the MNA Hostel that day at all. He denied that
Zaheer, Liaquat or himself had ever visited Lahore in connection with Ahmadia
agitation which was on in the months of September and October, 1974. Reference
was made by the witness in answers to cross-examination questions to other
missions for example, the missions for the murder of Muhammad Ali, a film
actor, and Retired Justice Jamil Hussain Rizvi, but it will be unnecessary to refer
to them.
177. In reply to the questions about the incident at Lahore, he stated that he
could not exchange his ammunition since he did not, at that time, have any
source in mind and in any case he knew that even if somebody had similar
ammunition, it would not be possible to make the exchange, since he would not
be in a position to explain to him the reasons for the exchange and thus gratify
his inquisitiveness.
178. He did not know whether the ammunition of 7.62 calibre was available
elsewhere. He stated that the number of the lot to which certain rounds belong
and the year of its manufacture are engraved on the base of the cartridge and
since a lot of similar number cannot be issued to anyone else, there are no other
markings on the rounds. Regarding message from Mian Muhammad Abbas
received through Ghulam Mustafa in which it was said that if the witness was
not prepared to perform his duty, he should be turned out and be dealt with
along with Ahmad Raza Kasuri, it was suggested to him that in fact Ghulam
Mustafa had gone to Rawalpindi and brought this message from there. The
witness stated that it might be so but it was his impression that the message was
communicated to Ghulam Mustafa on telephone.
180. It was suggested to him that he had made a false statement at the instance
of F.I.A. but the witness repelled this and stated that he had made a true
statement voluntarily and without anybody’s influence. He repelled the
suggestion that he was not in Lahore from 31 10.1974 to 12.11.1974.
181. The witness was confronted with his earner statements in order to bring
out a contradiction that while the earlier statement implied that he had himself
reported to Mian Muhammad Abbas about his haying identified Ahmad Raza
Kasuri, in the statement before the Court he had stated that this information was
given by him on an inquiry by Mian Muhammad Abbas. There is in fact no
contradiction as the earlier statement cannot be interpreted as meaning that the
said information was given by the witness without being asked about it. There
are no material contradictions in the statement.
Faza.1 Ali, P.W. 24, in charge of the armory at P.S.F. Headquarters, Rawalpindi,
proved the receipt of ammunition in the armory under his charge from the CAD
Havelian by ammunition Voucher No. 1451 prepared on the 9th June, 1973 (Ex.
P.W. 24/1), Ammunition Voucher No. P-29 dated the 12th February. 1974 (Ex.
P.W. 24/3), and Voucher No. P-52 dated 29th May, 1974 (Ex. P.W. 24/5). Entries
of this ammunition in the Stock Register are Exs. P.W. 24/2. PW. 24/4 and P.W.
24/6 dated 13.6.1973, 9.3.1974 and 8.8.1974 respectively. Fazal Ali stated that the
details of the ammunition supplied by CAD have been given on the back of each
voucher.
183. Fazal Ali explained in his evidence that the numbers on the reverse of the
Ammunition Voucher are marked on outer side of the package itself. The last
figures against each such number show the number of boxes and the number of
rounds contained in each box. The numbers shown on the reverse of this
document, after the first set are inscribed on the base of the cartridges cases.
186. The witness further stated that in August. 1974, Ghulam Hussain brought
a chit from the Director, Mian Muhammad Abbas accused, ordering him to issue
one sten-gun, two magazines, sixty rounds and. one pistol to him (approver
Ghulam Hussain). The witness wanted to make necessary entry in the temporary
issue ammunition register but Ghulam Hussain P.W. 31 restrained him from
doing so on the plea that such was the order of Mian Mohammad Abbas accused
and that the weapon and ammunition should be issued on a katcha receipt of
Ghulam Hussain which shall be returned to him after the weapons and
ammunition were returned. The witness declined to issue these weapons and
ammunition in the above manner. Ghulam Hussain later came to him and told
him that Mian Muhammad Abbas accused had called him. When the witness
entered the office room of Mian Muhammad Abbas accused, he asked him why
he did not obey his orders. The witness pleaded that the orders were not
according to the standing order. The said accused shouted at him saying that if
he did not want to serve any more he would be discharged from service and he
would not even reach home. He directed him to issue weapons and ammunition
on the basis of a receipt from Ghulam Hussain without making a corresponding
entry in the register. The witness complied with the direction.
187. Two days before the end of the same month Ghulam Hussain returned the
entire weapons and ammunition and took back the receipt.
188. Two or three days prior to the 25th of November, 1974, Ghulam Hussain
came to return the ammunition which had been issued to him on the 9th May.
1974, by road certificate Ex. P.W. 24/7. He found that 50 to 51 SMG empties were
short. He consequently refused to accept the ammunition unless the missing
empty cases were accounted for. Ghulam Hussain took back the ammunition but
he returned the entire ammunition in the form of empty cases on the morning of
the 25th November, 1974, by road certificate No. 2, Ex. P.W. 24/9 and an entry Ex.
P.W. 24/10 to this effect was made in the stock register.
189. He stated that eight or ten days before the empty cases of 1500 rounds
were deposited he was summoned by Mian Muhammad Abbas accused in his
office. He enquired from him if he had with him any fired cartridges in the
It may be stated at this stage that the photostat copy of voucher No. 1451 proved
by the witness was exhibited in his statement as P.W. 24/1 but by mistake the
office marked this exhibit number on the copy of voucher No. 29 original of
which is already marked as Ex. P.W. 24/3. This mistake was noticed during
arguments of the learned counsel for Mian Muhammad Abbas. It was corrected
after resummoning the original voucher No. 1451, which is now marked as Ex.
P.W. 24/1.
190. It may further be stated that Ex. P.W. 24/1 read with Ex. P.W. 39/2 proves
the receipt in the armory of 7.62 mm Ball for Chinese SMG/LMG numbering
1247760 rounds most of which bear No. 71-661. Ex. P.W. 24/5 establishes the
receipt of similar ammunition of SMG/LMG numbering 60,000 marked as 71-661
and cartridges S.A. 7.62 mm Ball for Chinese rifles bearing mark 71-31. Ex.P.W.
24/3 similarly proves the receipt of 7.62 mm .Ball for Chinese rifles bearing the
Marking 71-31.
191. In cross examination the learned counsel for Mian Muhammad Abbas
accused confronted the witness with the omission in his statement under Section
161 (Exhibit P.W. 39/9-D) of the story relating to Mian Muhammad Abbas but
the witness stated that he had made no improvement in the story and had
related the entire story to the Investigation Officer. In reply to a question, that he
had made a false statement he stated that he had taken an oath before making
the statement and had stated what had actually happened. He stated, in cross-
examination of the learned, counsel for Mian Muhammad Abbas that the armory
was not attached to any battalion and ammunition could be drawn from it by
any battalion. He stated that the Commando Camp had been established at
Islamabad.
192. Amir Badshah Khan, P.W. 20, who was Deputy Director, FSF, Battalion
No. 3, in October and November, 1974, stated that he received order from Mian
Muhammad Abbas accused on telephone a few days after his transfer from
Battalion No. 1 to Battalion No. 3 that Ghulam Mustafa S.I. would visit him and
he should be supplied whatever weapons he required on a simple receipt
without making any entry in the register. Ghulam Mustafa visited him
193. The witness stated that again he received a telephonic call from Mian
Muhammad Abbas accused a week later from Rawalpindi ordering him to hand
over one sten-gun, 30 cartridges, two pistols and 16 cartridges to Ghulam
Mustafa S.I. Ghulam Mustafa S.I. came to the witness that very day. The witness
informed him that he had received a telephonic message in this regard from
Mian Muhammad Abbas accused. Muhammad Yousaf Head Constable then
handed over the requisitioned weapons and ammunition to Ghulam Mustafa
and obtained a receipt from him, but he did not make any entry in any register.
194. Ghulam Mustafa came to the witness after some days. He asked him to
deliver to him another sten-gun and 30 cartridges. The witness sought
instructions on telephone from Mian Muhammad Abbas accused who directed
him to deliver the weapon and ammunition to Ghulam Mustafa on his receipt.
On instructions from the witness, Muhammad Yousaf Head Constable handed
over a stengun and 30 cartridges to Ghulam Mustafa, in the presence of the
witness.
195. The witness further added that after the murder of the father of Ahmad
Raza Kasuri, Ghulam Mustafa returned the two sten-guns and 60 cartridges. He
retained two pistols and 16 cartridges. These were collected by Muhammad
Yousaf H.C. from Shah Jamal on the direction of the witness. The witness could
not state the calibre of the weapon but stated that it was made in China.
196. Some insignificant omissions were put to the witness in his earlier
statement. It is unnecessary to refer to them. He was cross-examined at length
about the procedure of issue of weapons and inspection of armory as well as
about the time when arms were given to Ghulam Mustafa.
197. The learned counsel for Mian Muhammad Abbas put to the witness that
Mian Muhammad Abbas was responsible for his removal from the post of
Deputy Directer and had made an inquiry against him. He denied all this. He,
however identified the signatures of Mian Muhammad Abbas at the end of
199. The witness stated that once the above named accused took the jeep and
parked it at a distance of 50 yards from Walton and he himself went to Amir
Badshah, Deputy Director. He brought with him from there something wrapped
in a piece of cloth which appeared to be a weapon and placed it in the jeep.
200. After some days Soofi Ghulam Mustafa, Arshad Iqbal and Rana Iftikhar,
accused and Ghulam Hussain, P. W. 31 went to Shadman Colony to a place
where some marriage ceremony was being held. Several cars were parked there.
The witness parked the jeep at a distance of 50 to 60 yards from there. Soofi
Ghulam Mustafa and Arshad Igbal accused got down from the jeep and went
towards the place where cars were parked. On their return to the jeep they
informed Ghulam Hussain, on his query, that the car of Ahmaid Raza Kasuri
was parked there. Thereafter the party went to Ichhra for taking tea. On the
following day, he learnt about the murder of the father of Ahmad Raza Kasuri
P.W. 1. He was ordered by Soofi Ghulam Mustafa not to take out the jeep for
about 3 to 4 days. The jeep was taken into custody by F.I.A. in August, 1977.
According to the witness, Ghulam Mustafa accused also used to drive the jeep
and used to take it at different places. On cross-examination by the learned
counsel for the confessing accused lie stated that whenever they visited Model
Town. Ghulam Hussain i P.W. 31) accompanied them.
201. In answer to the questions of the learned counsel for the principal accused
he stated that the jeep was placed at the disposal of Ghulam Mustafa accused
three to six months before the murder on orders received from Rawalpindi. He
further stated that Ghulam Hussain Inspector did use the jeep sometimes. He
also used to drive it away unaccompanied but he did not make the entries in the
log-book. They were made by Ghulam Mustafa accused. He also stated that
about five or six days but less than a week before the occurrence he drove
202. He further stated he was not coerced by anybody and was making the
statement voluntarily and “Iman Se”. He stated that after leaving the jeep on
return from Shadman, in the office he was relieved of his duty. He denied that he
had stated in his statement under Section 161 Cr. P.C. (Ex.1 P.W. 39/6-D) that he
“then returned on foot.”
203. In answer to the question by the learned counsel for Mian Muhammad
Abbas accused he stated that the Investigating Officer did not take into
possession any fake number plate in his presence.
204. Manzoor Hussain Driver, D.W. 21 used to drive the staff car of the
Director General, FSF. He supported the statement of Ghulam Hussain approver
about his journey from Lahore to Rawalpindi in that staff car. He proved entries
in the log book of the car (Ex. P.W. 21/1) from 1st November to 13th November.
He stated that he drove the car from Rawalpindi to Multan on the 3rd November.
He performed duty at Bahawalpur, and Rahimyar Khan on the 10th and 11th
November, 1974. He performed his duty with the Director General in Multan,
but after the Director General left Multan for Rawalpindi by air at 11.30 a.m., he
returned to the Canal Rest House and after collecting his luggage, left for Lahore
the same day at 2-00 p.m. along with the gunman of the Director General. He
reached Lahore the same night at 11-30 p.m. spent the night in a hotel in Bakhshi
Market and went to the Headquarters of the FSF in Shah Jamal Colony the next
morning to get petrol for his car but he could not get it from there. He stated that
Inspector Ghulam Hussain Approver, P.W. 31, was present there. On his query,
he told him that he was going back to Rawalpindi. Ghulam Hussain P.W. 31
asked him to take him along. Leaving Lahore on 12.11.1974 at about 8-00 a.m. the
witness arrived at Rawalpindi with Ghulam Hussain at about 2-00 p.m. The
entries in the log book were checked by the Private Secretary to the Director
General, namely Ahmad Nawaz Qureshi, P.W. 5.
205. He stated in cross-examination of Mr. D.M. Awan that the FSF Office at
Lahore had a contract with a petrol pump situated at Ferozepur Road. He did
not go to the petrol pump since he was informed at the FSF Headquarters at
Shah Jamal that aviation was not available at the petrol pump. He therefore
obtained the petrol from a petrol pump at McLeod Road. He stated that while at
Multan the keys of the car remained with him. He drove the car whenever P.W. 2
wanted to go anywhere. So far as he knew, P.W. 2 did not visit any place in
Multan in the morning of 11th November, 1974.
207. The circumstances in which the FIR was recorded and the evidence and
investigation was tempered with is proved by P.W. 11, P.W. 12, P.W. 14, P.W. 15,
P.W. 34, P.W. 16, P.W. 17 and P.W. 18 who corroborate Ahmad Raza Kasuri P.W.
1 and Saeed Ahmad Khan P.W. 3. P.W. 14, P.W. 34, P.W. 16, P.W. 17 and P.W. 18
relate the circumstances leading to the substitution of crime empties. Abdul Aziz
P.W. 11 was posted as Additional SHO, Police Station Gulberg in November,
1974. He stated that, while on patrol duty with Muhammad Bashir ASI, P.W. 8 in
the area of Liberty Market, on the night between 10th and 11th November, 1974,
he received information at 12-30 or 1-00 a.m. that Ahmad Raza Kasuri P.W. 1 and
his father were fired at and they were in the United Christian Hospital. He
reached the hospital. Ahmad Raza Kasuri gave him the version of the incident
and also that they were fired at the behest of the principal accused. He asked P.W.
1 to make a statement but he said that his father was being operated upon and he
could make a statement after the result of the operation. He came down-stairs
and rang up the Control Room of Police Station Civil Lines, and Sh. Abdul Ahad
DSP Ichhra. He passed on the information to the DSP about the occurrence. After
some time the DSP reached the hospital followed by Khan Muhammad Asghar
Khan and some officers including Sardar Abdul Wakil Khan (P.W. 14). The
witness narrated the occurrence to Abdul Ahad who contacted Ahmad Raza
Kasuri, P.W. 1 and asked him to write the report. Khan Muhammad Asghar
Khan SSP (P.W. 12) also reached there. Ahmad Raza Kasuri said that he would
name the principal accused in the FIR and stated that since the police would not
mention his name he would make a statement only in the presence of some
higher police officers. There after, Sardar Abdul Wakil Khan arrived there. He
told Ahmad Raza Kasuri to give a statement in writing and stated that a case
would be registered accordingly. In the meantime, the father of P.W. 1
succumbed to his injuries. P.W. 1 gave his statement in writing (Ex. P.W. 12) to
Khan Muhammad Asghar Khan, who, handed it over to him. The witness stated
that he handed over the same to Muhammad Bashir ASI P.W. 8, after putting
down his signature underneath the narration of proceedings by the police.
208. Muhammad Bashir P.W. 8, supported this version and stated that he took
the statement to Police Station Ichhra and handed it over to Abdul Hayee Niazi.
210. After satisfying himself at the spot that the scene of occurrence was being
preserved, he went back to the hospital. By that time the injured person had
breathed his last. He found Ahmad Raza Kasuri a little excited and on his
inquiry whether his statement had been recorded and the case had been
registered, he stated that unless the ‘ name of the principal accused was
mentioned in the F.I.R. he would not get the case registered. The witness asked
him to give statement in writing promising that the same would be reproduced
in the F.I.R. Sardar Abdul Vakil, DIG who had arrived at the hospital agreed
with the witness that the case be registered on the statement of Ahmad Raza
Kasuri.
211. The witness further stated that Ahmad Raza Kasuri brought the statement
Ex. P.W. 12 to him in writing which he handed over to Abdul Aziz, SI for
registration of the case. The witness remained in the hospital till the dead body of
the deceased was removed by his sons and relations. He also stated having seen
the car of P.W:1 and described the bullet marks on it. He also stated that the glass
of the right rear door was broken.
212. Continuing his statement he said that a meeting was held in the house of
the Inspector General of Police on the evening of 11th of November, 1974. It was
attended besides the witness by the Inspector General of Police, the D.I.G. Police
(P.W. 14), Abdul Hamid Bajwa, the Commissioner and the Deputy
Commissioner. The Inspector General ordered the witness to remove the dead
body of the deceased from his house and bury it somewhere during the night.
The witness refused to carry out this order on which the Inspector General of
Police threatened him that if anything happened the next day he would be taken
to task. He referred to another meeting with Abdul Hamid Bajwa in connection
with this case. He stated the latter questioned him as to why the name of the
Prime Minister was mentioned in the He suggested that the case could be
registered on the statement of any other person. In that case the name of the
Prime Minister would have been avoided. He referred to another meeting two or
213. The witness further stated that besides Abdul Hamid Bajwa Saeed Ahmad
Khan P.W.- 3 also: contacted him in connection with this case. He too questioned
him about the reason for allowing the name of principal accused to be mentioned
in the FIR. and further told him that “Sahib” was annoyed with him (the witness)
on this account. A meeting was than held in the office of the Home Secretary
which was attended by the I. G. Police, D. I. G. (P.W. 14), Saeed Ahmad Khan
P.W. 3, the Home Secretary and the witness. Saeed Ahmad Khan ordered in that
meeting that the investigation of the case should be entrusted to Malik
Mohammad Waris, D.S.P., P.W. 15 and Mr. Abdul Ahad, D.S.P. and both of them
should see him at Rawalpindi for further briefing. Both the D.S.P.s were
accordingly informed and they did go to Rawalpindi in pursuance of the
directions given to them.
214. The witness stated that he did not have a free hand in the investigation of
the case because instructions relating to the investigation were being issued by
Abdul Hamid Bajwa and Saeed Ahmad Khan P.W. 3, which he had to obey.
These two persons visited Lahore frequently. In fact in the meeting held in the
office of the Home Secretary Mr. Saeed Ahmad Khan P.W. 3 had informed the
witness that he had been specially sent by the Prime Minister to supervise the
investigation of this case and to put the investigation on the “right” lines.
215. Reference has already been made to P.W. 32-A with which Abdul Ahad,
D.S.P. had sent a copy of the First Information Report to Abdul Hamid Bajwa.
The witness stated that he had seen this document for the first time. He stated
that the only channel of communication with outside agencies was through him
in his capacity as S.S.P. implying thereby that the copy of the F.I.R. could not
have been sent directly to Abdul Hamid Bajwa. He further stated that Abdul
Hamid Bajwa had never asked him or any of his subordinates through him to
supply to him a copy of the First Information Report.
216. In cross examination by the learned counsel for the principal accused
whether he was satisfied with the investigation carried out by Abdul Hayee
Niazi and Abdul Ahad, he stated that there was no progress in the investigation
and hence question of his satisfaction or otherwise did not arise. He gave a very
significant answer to the question whether the statements of the witnesses had
217. Muhammad Abdul Vakil Khan, P.W. 14, was D.I.G., Lahore in the month of
November, 1974. He also visited the spot as well as the hospital. He corroborated
the statement of Asghar Khan, P.W, J 2 about the manner in which the case was
registered at the statement of Ahmad Raza Kasuri about what transpired in the
meeting in the police Station Civil Lines, Lahore, between P.W. 12 and himself on
the one hand and Abdul Hamid Bajwa on the other about the meeting held in the
office of the Home Secretary in the full week of January, 1974 in which Saeed
Ahmad Khan directed that Malik Waris P.W. 15 would investigate the case and
that the latter and Abdul Ahad D.S.P. should see him at Rawalpindi for being
briefed. He stated that though the empties had not been sealed, he informed
Abdul Hamid Bajwa that they had been sealed. He had already received
information on the 11th November, 1974 that the empties of 7.62 mm calibre had
been recovered from the spot. He knew that weapons of this calibre were used
by the F.S.F. He put off Abdul Hamid Bajwa by telling him that the empties had
been sealed since he knew that Abdul Hamid Bajwa was associated with FSF
very closely and he wanted to avoid any suggestion from him to tamper with the
empties in order to exonerate the F.S.F. He corroborated P.W. 12 about the
reaction of Abdul Hamid Bajwa on the report that the empties had been sealed.
218. The witness further stated that about a fortnight later Mr. Abdul Ahad
met him. He enquired from him if any result had been received from the Ballistic
Expert to whom the empties were sent. The witness was surprised to hear from
him that he (Abdul Ahad) had delayed the sending of the empties because they
were taken away by Abdul Hamid Bajwa and when returned to him after 2 to 3
days and that the empties were sent only then for examination. On further
questioning why he had handed over the empties to Abdul Hamid Bajwa, Abdul
Ahad answered that the empties had to be handed over to Abdul Hamid Bajwa
on the latter’s threat that the empties were required to be taken to the Prime
Minister’s House to be shown to the high officers.
219. The document Ex. P.W. 3/2-A was shown to P.W. 14 also. He denied
having seen it ever before: He also denied that Abdul Hamid Bajwa ever
approached him for the copy of the F.I.R. which an outside agency could get
either through him or the S.S.P. or from the Court but certainly not from the
D.S.P.
221. He also stated that a few days before the occurrence while on patrol duty,
he, came across a jeep without number plate going ahead of him on the Canal
Road. He chased, overtook that jeep and stopped it. He questioned the person,
who came out of the jeep, about his identity and he told him that he was an
Inspector in the F.S.F. He could not give a satisfactory answer to the question as
to why he was driving the jeep without number plate. He then contacted Mr.
Malhi (Mr. Mohammad Irfan Malhi), Director F.S.F., at Lahore, through Wireless
Control who confirmed that the Inspector as well as the jeep belonged to the
Federal Security, Force. The witness could not give the name of the Inspector. It
was suggested to him in cross examination on behalf of the principal accused
that the Martial Law Authorities had prepared a list for screening out certain
officers and that his name was included in it. He denied he was at all aware of it.
He stated that he did not attend the meeting held at the residence of the
Inspector General of Police on 11th November, 1974 in spite of being contacted
for attending the same. He however agreed with Asghar Khan, P.W. 12 when he
informed him about his refusal to remove forcibly and himself supervise the
burial of the dead body of the deceased. Certain portions, of his earlier
statements were put to him but he emphasised and explained that they were not
contradictory to what he stated in Court. He stated that Asghar Khan met him
daily and complained that he did not have a free hand in the investigation.
222. Malik Muhammad Waris, P.W. 15 stated that he was posted in the C.I.A.
on 2nd of January, 1975 at Lahore and took charge on the 10th of January, 1975.
A month before he took charge investigation of this case had been transferred to
the C.I.A. He took the file of this case to Muhammad Asghar khan who directed
him to take it to Saeed Ahmad Khan P.W. 3 to Rawalpindi and to seek
instructions from him with regard to the investigation as the investigation had to
be carried out in accordance’ with his instructions.
223. On 12th January, 1975 Abdul Vakil Khan, F.W. 14 also ordered him to go
the next day, to Rawalpindi and meet Saeed Ahmad Khan for the same purpose.
He could not, however, leave for Rawalpindi that day due to preoccupations.
The D.I.G. and the S.S.P. (P.W. 14 and P.W. 12) got annoyed with him on this
account and the D.I.G. wrote D.O. 113 dated 13th January, 1975 to the I.G. Police
against him. His explanation was called for non-compliance with the order of the
D.I.G.
235. P.W. 3 directed the witness and Sh. Abdul Ahad to go to Bara in order to
find out if the weapons and ammunition of the calibre used in the occurrence
were available there. He further directed them to contact JADO at the G.H.Q. and
find out if weapons and ammunition of this calibre were available in the region
of Lahore or near about illegally. P.W. 3 further ordered that neither his name
nor the fact that be had contacted him in the Prime Minister’s Secretariat should
appear in the police diary or the correspondence.
236. The witness and Abdul Ahad visited JADO as per instructions of P.W. 3
and met the colonel incharge whose name had been given to them by P.W. 3. The
colonel gave a report Ex. P.W. 15/1 to them. It may be stated that the report
confirmed the availability of the arms in Darra Adam Khel and with the
underground elements in settled districts. The witness added that they then
visited Bara. Since the market was closed that day, they came back but left
Muhammad Sharif, Sub Inspector to seek necessary information. Two, three days
later Muhammad Sharif met them and informed them that the weapons and the
ammunition of the calibre used in this case were available at Bara.
237. He stated that Saeed Ahmaci Khan P.W. 3 and Abdul Hamid Bajwa also
ordered the witness to find out disputes over the division of land in Kasuri
family and also the disputes of the deceased with the local persons, but these
investigations conducted by him regarding these matters led to no worthwhile
results. Only minor differences were discovered which in his opinion could not
form the motive for the 4-fence.
238. The witness deposed that Saeed Ahmad Khan, P.W. 3 held meetings in the
office of the Advocate General, Punjab, Office of the Home Secretary, Punjab and
once in the Chief Minister’s House and in these meetings the investigation of the
case was brought under discussion and P.W. 3 used to give him instructions. He
complained that his officers namely S.S.P., D.I.G. and I.G. had left him at the
merry of P.W. 3 who controlled the entire investigation and did not allow a free
had to the witness to conduct the same. He had to concentrate all his efforts
in .conducting the investigation on the lines on which Saeed Ahmad Khan, P.W.
3, gave directions.
240. In reply to a question by the learned counsel for the principal accused the
witness stated that as a result of his investigation he had found that the dispute
amongst Yaqub Mann’s party and Ahmad Raza Kasuri had come to an end and
the cases had therefore, been closed. It was suggested to him that consequent
upon the gift of land made by the deceased, his children were split into two
factions; one comprising of Major Ali Raza, Sikandar Hayat and Khizar Hayat,
and the other comprising of the three brothers, the deceased and his wife. He
replied that this information was proved incorrect during investigation. It was
also suggested to him that the inheriting of her legal share in her paternal estate
by the wife of Major Ali Raza sparked dispute between her paternal family and
that of Ahmad Raza Kasuri. The witness admitted that he had received this
information, but it was found to be incorrect on investigation.
241. Abdul Hayee Niazi F.W. 34 stated that he reached the spot after recording
the formal F.I.R. a copy of which is Ex.P.W. 34/1. He then proceeded to the
hospital where he found the D.I.G., the S.S.P., his D.S.P. and Ahmad Raza Kasuri
and his relatives. After he was free from the hospital, he left for the spot. Abdul
Ahad told him at that time that he would also reach there after visiting Model
Town and directed him not to prepare any recovery memo at the spot as the
name of the Prime Minister had been mentioned in the F.I.R.
242. He stated that he recovered 24 empty cartridges and lead of a bullet but he
did not prepare the recovery memo. On his examination he found that at the
base of each of the 24 cartridges were inscribed figures 661/71. Abdul Ahad
D.S.P. directed him to show the empty cartridges and the car to the Ballistic
Expert so that it could be ascertained what type of arms had been used. He
accordingly went to the Civil Secretariat and he took Nazir Hussain Abidi P.W.
36 with him to then hospital. He was accompanied by officers of his staff. P.W. 36
inspected the car and took its photographs (later proved by P.W. 36 as Ex. P.W.
36/1, P.W. 36/2, P.W. 36/3 and P.W. 36/4). He showed the empty cartridges and
lead-bullet to P.W. 36, at the police station, but he was unable to give any opinion
unless the cartridges were sent to him and they were minutely examined in the
laboratory.
244. He added that on the 12th December, 1974, Abdul Ahad folded and sealed
the original F.I.R. (Ex. P.W. 34/3) in his presence and in the presence of Abdul
Ikram. He showed the original F.I.R. and stated that it bears marks of stitching
and seal. He added that Abdul Ahad left for Rawalpindi on 13.11.1974 and took
along with him the site plan Ex. P.W. 34/2. He returned after two or three days
and asked the witness to prepare the recovery memo Ex.P.W. 34/4, as per draft
which according to the D.S.P. had been given to him from the Prime Minister’s
House. He copied P.W. 34/4 from the said draft and returned the same to the
D.S.P. He asked the D.S.P. for the empty cartridges, but he informed him that
they would not be returned. He advised him that the order should be complied
with, otherwise both of them would find themselves in trouble and not only the
services would be terminated but they would also be involved in some case.
245. He stated that on looking at the draft, he found that the number of the
empty cartridges recorded there were different. 22 empty cartridges were stated
to contain No. BBI/71 while two were stated to contain No. 31/71.
246. He continued that Muhammad Bashir A.S.I., P.W. 16, who was posted as
Moharrir Malkhana, was on leave at that time. He returned on the 17th
November, 1974. The witness gave the recovery memo to him with a direction
that he should enter the articles mentioned in the recovery memo, in the relevant
register against the date, 11.11.1974. Since Muhammad Bashir was not on duty
on 11.11.1974, he (the witness) directed him to have these entries made by Abdul
Ikram. It was in these circumstances that the entry about the recovery of the
empties and the lead bullet extracted from the head of the deceased were made
although none of the former were available at that time.
247. The witness deposed further that the D.S.P. gave 24 empty cartridges to
the witness on the 23rd November, 1974, and ordered him to seal them and send
the same to the Inspectorate of Armament G.H.Q. Rawalpindi. He complied with
the order, prepared a sealed parcel of those empty cartridges, and deputed
248. The witness added that the lead bullets and two metallic pieces were later
sent to the Inspectorate of Armament through Muhammad Sarwar, P.W. 17, on
the 24th December, 1974, under the direction of the D.S.P.
249. In cross-examination by Mr. Qurban Sadiq Ikram the witness stated that
he had been transferred six or seven months ago to the police lines but he had
not been assigned any duty. He was confronted with the statements made by
him on 16.12.1974, 17.12.1974 and 23.12.1974 before the Tribunal. He stated that
he could not make the present statement at the time because of circumstances
then prevailing. He stated that he did not record the diary, about the visit of
P.W.36 or that he was shown empties recovered from the spot. He however
admitted having stated before the Tribunal when confronted with the statement
of P.W. 36, “It is also incorrect in the statement of the Director (P.W. 36) that the
empties were shown to him there and they had not been sealed at the spot.” He
admitted that the draftsman had prepared site plan Ex. P.W. 34/5-D but the spot
from which the empties were recovered was wrongly indicated. He stated that 11
empties were recovered from two places from the round-about, five from one
place and six from the other at a distance of ten paces from one another, while
thirteen cartridges were outside the round-about seven at one place and six at
other, there being a distance of 35 Karams between the two places by the outer
circumference of the round-about.
248. Muhammad Bashir P.W. 16, Abdul Ikram P.W. 18 and Mohammad
Sarwar P.W. 17 supported this version in so far as the part attributed to them
was concerned. Muhammad Bashir P.W. 16 proved the entry Ex. P.W. 16/1-1 in
register No. 19, Ex. P.W. 16/1 about the recovery of empties and the bullet made
by Abdul Ikram P.W. 18 under instructions from P.W. 34.
249. Muhammad Sarwar A.S.I. P.W. 17 stated about taking away sealed parcels
to the Inspectorate of Armaments on 23.11.1974 and 24.12.1974. He stated that all
the seals were intact. The first parcel contained empty cartridges and the second
contained lead bullet and two metallic pieces.
250. Abdul Ikram P.W. 18, corroborated the statements of P.W. 16 and P.W. 17.
He also stated that Sh. Abdul Ahad DSP and SHO Abdul Hayee Niazi had taken
at about 9.00 or 10.00 p.m. on the 11th November, 1974, the empty cartridges to
the Inspector General, Police, at his residence, in an open service envelope.
252. Major Muhammad Sarfraz Naeem P.W. 33 stated that Mr. Aslam Sahi
Inspector FIA approached him in order to collect the 24 empty cartridges and the
core of the bullet and two small metallic pieces which he collected from him. He
wrote a letter Ex. P.W. 33/1 dated 25.8.1977 to the Deputy Director FIA, Lahore
Camp. It may be stated at this stage that according to this letter 24 fired cases
were empties of 7.62 mm Round of Chinese origin fired from rifles SMG and
LMG. This letter also referred to the return of the empties and the blood-stained
bullet core with two metallic pieces alleged to have been recovered from the
body of the deceased. Similarly Report Ex. P.W. 32/1 proves the bore (7.62 mm
X38 mm) of the 24 empties while para 2 of letter Ex.P.W. 32/2 proves the core of
these bullet to be from a round of the same calibre and its shape was similar to
that of bullets from Russian, Chinese and other Communist countries. The
witness proved the recovery memo of these articles prepared by Mr. Aslam Sahi
(Ex. P.W. 33/2).
253. Aslam Sahi P.W.40 stated that after taking the two sealed parcels into
possession, he handed them over intact to Muhammad Boota, Inspector F.I.A.
P.W. 39 for delivering the same to the Director, Technical F.I.A., Islamabad. H
further stated that he received two parcels from the said Director on the 22nd
October, 1977. These parcels were sealed and he deposited them in the High
Court, Malkhana intact.
254. Muhammad Boota Inspector F.S.F., P.W. 39 said that he deposited two
parcels received by him from Mr. Aslam Sahi, with Abdul Rauf Moharrir, Police
Station Islamabad, as the docket could not be issued due to the closure of the
office. He obtained the said sealed parcels on the 27th August, 1977, got their
255. Abdul Rauf P.W. 37 supported the above statement and proved the
reports of receipt and return of the parcels Ex. P.W. 37/1 and Ex. P.W. 37/2.
256. Nadir Hussain Abidi, P.W. 36, now Deputy Director F.I.A. (Technical
Wing), Rawalpindi stated that he was posted as Director, Forensic Science
Laboratory, Lahore, in November, 1974. On the 11th November, 1974, Abdul
Hayee Niazi S.H.O. Ichhra, P.W. 34 visited him in connection with a firing case
and sought his assistance. He also desired that the witness should inspect a car
which had been fired at and get it photographed. He, therefore, visited the
United Christian Hospital, along with Abdul Hayee Niazi, Ghulam Muhammad
Photographer and one Qurban Raza, Fire Arms Expert. The photographer
photographed the car vide photographs Exs. P.W. 36/1, P.W. 36/2, P.W. 36/3
and P.W. 36/4. The witness found that the right rear window of the car was
damaged. He also saw that there were broken glass pieces inside the car and
there was blood on its front seat. The metallic portion of the window had one or
two holes and there was also a mark on the bonnet. He filed the photo before the
Tribunal when he was summoned in December, 1974 since no police officer
collected them.
257. He further stated that he was taken to the round-about near Shah Jamal
which was the scene of occurrence. Abdul Hayee Niazi P.W. 34 showed him
three or four places there from where he had recovered the fired shells. He also
showed the portion on the wall facing the round-about which bore a mark of
having been hit by some object. Abdul Hayee Niazi P.W. 24 told him that he had
recovered a piece of bullet from there.
258. The witness said that he was then taken by Abdul Hayee Niazi P.W. 34 to
the Police Station. Ichhra saying that he wanted to show to him the fired shells
recovered by him from the scene of crime and to get some technical advice. He
showed 24 shells and a mutilated metal which he said was a bullet recovered by
him from near the wall at the scene of crime. These articles were not sealed and
they were shown to him in an open condition. He examined each one of the
articles and advised P.W. 34 that they were not fired from G-3 Rifles. He told him
that he could not give any opinion about any other type of automatic weapons
without a detailed examination of the empties with reference to the concerned
literature at the Laboratory. He stated that the calibre of G-3 rifle is also 7.62 min.
He further stated that he could not give any opinion about the metallic piece also.
259. The witness further stated that he appeared before the Tribunal to make
his statement. He was recalled on the 6th January, 1975, when he was confronted
with the statement of Mr. Niazi.
260. The witness further deposed that on the 27th August, 1977, Muhammad
Boota, Inspector F.I.A., delivered two sealed parcels, one containing 24 crime
empties and the other containing a core of a bullet and two metallic pieces, in the
Technical Branch at Islamabad. These parcels were sealed with the seal of the
Chief Inspector of Armament and related to the present case. They were opened
and then were re-sealed for return to Mr. Aslam Sahi, Inspector F.I.A., Lahore
Circle to whom they were delivered on the 22nd October, 1977.
261. The seals on these parcels were found intact and were opened by the
witness in the Court. He stated that on the bases of 22 empties is engraved 661;
71 though this number can also be read as BB1/71. The other two bores differed
batch marks. The empty cartridges were marked P. 8 to P.31. The sealed tube
containing core of the bullet and two metallic pieces was marked as Ex. P.32.
262. Nasir Nawaz Inspector Police P.W. 23 who was posted as S.H.O. Police
Station, Islamabad, on the 24th August, 1974, corroborates Ghulam Hussain
approver and Ahmad Raza Kasuri about the Islamabad incident. He proved the
statement of Ahmad Raza Kasuri Ex.P.W. 23/1 on the basis of which F.I.R. Ex.
P.W. 1/1 was registered in respect of the incident of 24th August, 1974, at
Islamabad. He stated that a case under section 307 PPC was registered on the
basis of this statement and investigated by him. He prepared site plan Ex. P.W.
23/2 and a recovery memo o the empties recovered from the spot, Ex. P.W. 23/3.
He stated that he sent the sealed parcel of the empties to the Expert Armament,
GHQ, Rawalpindi from where he received report, Ex. P.W. 23/4. On 5.16.1974
the witness sent a report that the case be filed as untraced.
263. It may be stated that by Ex. P.W. 23/3 the witness recovered from the spot
five shells, each bearing No. 66/71 which are proved by report, Ex. P.W. 23/4 to
have been fired by SMG/LMG of 7.62 bore.
264. There is oral and documentary evidence that Abdul Harnid Bajwa
continued to probe into the security measures of Ahmad Raza Kasuri. The oral
266. Zawar Hussain P.W. 13 who was posted as Incharge (Records), F.S.F.
Headquarters has proved the service record of Ghulam Hussain and the three
confessing accused. He stated that Ghulam Hussain joined as A.S.I. on 3rd of
December, 1973, and he was promoted as Sub Inspector on 15th January, 1974,
and as Inspector on 20th of August, 1974. Ghulam Mustafa accused was
appointed as A.S.I., F.S.F. on 1.6.1973. He was promoted as Sub Inspector on 15th
of December, 1973, and as Inspector on 1st of December, 1973. Arshad Iqbal
joined as Foot Constable on 19.3.1973. He was promoted as Head Constable on
267. It is necessary to refer to some formal evidence in order to point out the
manner in which some documentary evidence is admitted.
P.W. 5 Ahmad Nawaz Qureshi proved the itinerary of the Director General’s
tour to Multan, in early November, 1974 (Ex. P.W. 2/8) and the details of his
Quetta tour in the end of July and the beginning of August (Ex. P.W. 51). He also
stated that Mian Muhammad Abbas had served as Director Operation and
Intelligence till the time of his detention in August, 1974. He threw some light on
the office procedure and said that letters addressed to the Director General by
name were forwarded to him unopened while other letters were opened by him
and presented to the Director General. Some of the letters were returned by the
Director General while others were not. He was asked by the F.T.A. to search the
Intelligence Report dated the 18th November, 1974, presumably to prove the
Director General’s endorsement dated the 21st September, 1974, on the original
of the document marked P.W. 2Z. He was also directed to search some other
documents from Quetta Office. He could not trace out any of them.
268. P.W. 25, Ijazul Hasan, another Assistant Director, Federal Security Force
was also asked to trace these documents. He stated that he could not trace them
in spite of search with the help of Sana Ullah, Reader to Mian Muhammad Abbas.
It may be recalled that the office copy of the report Ex. P.W. 21Z which was sent
to P.W. 2 by him was proved by P.W. 4. In view of the original copy being
untraceable P.W. 4 further proved the endorsement of Ex. P.W. 2/Z which
according to him was a photo-stat copy of the original report which he had
obtained from Mian Muhammad Abbas for production before the team
appointed to enquire into the affairs of F.S.F. in July, 1977. It appears from the
cross-examination of the learned counsel for Mian Muhammad Abbas that he did
not attack its genuineness since he suggested to the witness that the copy was not
handed over to him by Mian Muhammad Abbas but was given to him by Nazir
Ahmad, Deputy Director.
(1) Ex. P.W. 351, covering letter of the report by the Tribunal to
the Chief Secretary, Punjab;
(3) Note Ex. P.W. 35.2 by the Chief Secretary and Note Ex. P.W.
35;2-A by the Secretary to the Chief Minister with noting
part of the file relating to the Tribunal’s inquiry;
(4) Ex. P. 353, office carbon copy of D.O. No. 178 CM (PM) 75
dated the 7th March, 1975, by the Chief Minister, Punjab, to
the Prime Minister (the principal accused) enclosing the
report of the Tribunal and informing the addressee that the
report had already been discussed with his Chief Security
Officer and that he had asked the Chief Secretary to send to
him (Chief Security Officer, P.W. 3) a copy and seeking
guidance from the addressee whether the report should be
made public; and
270. The witness also identified signature of the Chief Secretary on document
Ex. P.W. 33-K, a letter sent by the Chief Secretary to the Chief Security Officer to
the Prime Minister enclosing for his perusal the report of the Tribunal to him as
desired by the Chief Minister.
The witness while proving the document made a reference to all the above
columns and their entries and stated with reference to the remarks of the
principal accused in the last column that it was marked to Saeed Ahmad Khan
CSO, PM, P.W. 3. He also explained that the last column mentioned number of
pages of the letter dispatched. He explained that this was done in order to
obviate the possibility of the recipient denying the receipt of the article
dispatched. He further stated that what was mentioned in the last column was
duly dispatched.
272. This document has been proved to corroborate the testimony of Saeed
Ahmad Khan that it was in view of this order of the Prime Minister (as given in
the last column of Ex. P.W. 27/2 referred to above) that he had a meeting with
the principal accused and that the latter told him in that meeting the report
should not be publicized as it was adverse. This entry was proved since the
original document bearing this note could not be traced.
The witness further explained reference to No. 80375 in entry Ex. P.W. 3/4-A in
Peon Book Ex. P.W. 34. He stated that the number indicates the serial number of
the letter in the dispatch register of the Prime Minister's Secretariat. He stated
that Peon Book was taken into possession vide Memo Ex. P.W. 26/1.
273. The witness also proved challan sheet Ex. P.W 27/1. He stated that this
challan sheet was prepared in duplicate in the Prime Minister’s Secretariat and
contained a list of documents received from the Secretary to the Prime Minister
and marked to the latter. Serial No. 9 of this document is the entry about sending
letter No. 788/28/CSO(PM) dated the 24th November, 1974 (Ex. P.W. 3/2-B) on
which appears the endorsement Ex. P.W. 3/2-B/1 to the following effect.
275. This evidence was produced since the document: in question could not be
traced. The chailan sheet Ex. P.W. 27/1 was proved to establish that the letter Ex.
P.W. 3/2-B must have reached the Prime Minister and seen by him.
276. Muhammad Younis Qazi, P.W. 26 also made a similar statement in regard
to the entry Ex. P.W. 34/A in the Peon Book Ex. P.W. 3/4. He identified the
signature of Abdul Hamid Bajwa on this entry. He stated that he searched the
letter from the diary and the dispatch register but he could not find it.
277. P.W. 29, Khizar Hayat proved the recovery by the F.I.A. of the files Exs.
P.W. 3/1, P.W. 3/2 and P.W. 3/3. He stated that he handed over these files to the
Deputy Director, Agha Habib, for sending the same to F.I.A. Lahore.
278. Haroon Ahmad P.W. 30, Section Officer in the Establishment Division,
Rawalpindi, proved the T.A. Bills of Abdul Hamid Bajwa Exs. P.W. 3/5 to Ex.
P.W. 3/10 which were taken into possession vide recovery Memo Ex. P.W. 30/1.
He stated that these bills were passed and their payments made.
Two witnesses, P.W. 9 and P.W. 10 have been produced to prove pardon to
accomplices, their statements, and the confessions of four accused, statements of
P.W. 38 and P.W. 40 also throw light on this matter. Iqbal Nadeem, P.W. 9 made
a statement only about grant of pardon to the two approvers P.W. 2 and P.W. 31.
After grant of pardon he sent each approver to Mr. Zulfiqar All Toor P.W. 10 for
the recording of his statement under section 164 Cr. P.C. as a witness.
280. Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Toor Magistrate 1st Class, Lahore P.W. 10 stated that he
recorded the confessional statements of Iftikhar Ahmad, Arshad Iqhal and
Ghulam Mustafa Exhibits P.W. 10/2, P.W. 10/3-1 and P.W. 10/6-1 respectively.
Each of the accused was sent to the judicial lock up soon after the statement. He
also recorded the statements of Masood Mahmond P.W. 2 (P.W. 2/6) and
Ghulam Hussain P.W. 31 (PAV. 10/11-1). The statements according to him were
voluntary and he had taken all precautions to ensure that they were voluntarily
made.
281. This witness recorded the statement of Mian Muhammad Abbas accused
on the 18th of August, 1977. On application Ex. P.W. 10/8 submitted by Ahmad
Saeed Khan, Assistant Director, F.I.A. P.W. 38, the Magistrate passed order Ex.
P.W. 10 8-1 on it. He stated that he observed all the formalities enumerated in the
form Ex. P.W. 10/9, prescribed under Seetion 164 Cr. P.C. He gave time to Mian
Muhammad Abbas, accused to think over and informed him that he was not
282. He stated that after he was satisfied that the accused was making a
voluntary statement; he proceeded to record his statement Ex. P.W. 10/9-1. The
statement was read out to him and he admitted it to be correct and put down his
signature on it. The witness then filled in and signed the certificate Ex. P.W.
10/9-2. The witness stated in cross-examination that he had not asked any
confessing accused whether any pressure or threat or inducement was given to
them because he was of the view that there was an implied reference to these
matters in the first question on the prescribed form. He also did not ask any
question whether the confessing accused had been promised pardon in case they
made a confession nor did he ask them where they were kept. Although he had
not given any note in Ex. P.W. 10/9 about sending the police officers out of the
Court room, he stated that they were so sent. The time given to Mian
Muhammad Abbas accused to think over the matter before the statement was
recorded is not given in the note. The witness, however, stated that it was 30
minutes. He further stated that the custody of Mian Muhammad Abbas was
given back to Ahmad Saeed, Assistant Director P.W. 38 for being taken to the
judicial lock up vide order Ex. P.W. 10/14.
283. Ahmad Saeed P.W 38, Assistant Director, F.I.A. who had produced Mian
Muhammad Abbas before P.W. 10 stated that Mian Muhammad Abbas was sent
to Camp Jail from the Court through Muhammad Aslam Sahi (P.W. 40) under
order of the Magistrate. The witness also stated that he brought a report Ex. P.W.
381 from Central Ammunition Depot, Havelian along with two vouchers Ex. P.W.
38/2 and P.W. 38/3. It may be stated that letter Ex. 38/1 signed by Colonel.
Commandant of the Central Ammunition Depot Havelian confirms that quantity
75000 and 60000 of 7.62 mm ball ammunition were issued by the Depot to
Director General, F.S.F. vide Voucher No. AMMO/P-29 dated 7.2.1974 (Ex. P.W.
38/2) and AMMO/P-52 dated 25th May, 1974 (Ex. P.W. 38/3). Same two
vouchers had been proved by Fazal Ahmad P.W. 24 as Exhibits P.W. 24/3 and
P.W. 24/5 respectively.
284. Muhammad Aslam Sahi, Inspector, F.I.A. P.W. 40 stated that on 18.8.1977
Ahmad Saeed P.W. 38 handed over the accused Mian Muhammad Abbas to him
and he took him to the Camp Jail, the same day. This witness had partly
investigated the case and questioned Arshad Iqbal accused on 24.7.1977. The said
accused was arrested formally by the Deputy Director, F.I.A. on 25.7.1977. He
also produced Rana Iftikhar Ahmad and Arshad Iqbal accused on 26.7.1977 the
Court of P.W.10.
288. The witness further said that he also took into possession jeep LEJ-7084 by
recovery Memo Ex. P.W. 3913 and gave it on Sapurdari to Muhammad Yayoob,
Inspector vide Superdarinama Ex. P.W. 39/4 dated 31.8.1977. In cross-
examination he proved the statement of Ahmad Raza Kasuri, P.W. 1 (Ex. P.W.
39/5-D), Muhammad Amir P.W. 19 (Ex. P.W. 39/6-D). Abdul Ikram P.W. 18 (Ex.
P.W. 39/7-D), Ahmad Nawaz Qureshi, P.W. 5 (Ex. P.W. 39/8-D) Fazal Ahmad
P.W. 24, (Ex.P.W. 39/9-D) under section 161 Cr. P.C. He stated that he had taken
25 SMG from the Headquarter of the F.S.F., Rawalpindi.
289. Abdul Khaliq P.W. 4, Investigating Officer is the Deputy Director, F.I.A.
who had mainly investigated the case. His statement about how he found a clue
of this offence and arrested all the accused, has already been reproduced.
291. Before the start of trial the principal accused had challenged the
constitution of the Court on the ground inter alia, that by his appointment as
Chief Election Commissioner the Acting Chief Justice had ceased to hold the later
office. He had also raised some allegations of bias against the Acting Chief Justice.
The Supreme Court directed him to raise all these before this Court. In view of
this direction the principal accused submitted two petitions Criminal Misc. No.
932/M and 933/M of 1977; one challenging the Constitution of the High Court
and the other showing apprehension that he would not get a fair trial in view of
the allegations of bias against the Acting Chief Justice (as His Lordship the Chief
Justice then was). These petitions were dismissed in limuie by this Bench on
9.10.1977. Besides strongly refs dug the allegations of bias it was pointed out in
the order that the matter was being heard not by the Acting Chief Justice alone
but by a large Bench of Five Judges each of whom had to act independently and
was under oath to act justly without fear or favour. Tito accused submitted two
petitions for Special Leave to Appeal against the order before the Supreme Court.
He, however, withdrew the petition filed by him to challenge the order passed
on the petition raising question of bias against the Chief Justice. Thereafter he
submitted several incompetent petitions and information, repeating the same
allegations, despite the fact that the matter had attained finality. In some
petitions there was a prayer for transfer of the case to some other bench or to the
Sessions Court. All these petitions were dismissed. It was repeated that the
apprehension of the principal accused was altogether unreasonable.
292. In his last petition for transfer which was submitted on 18.1.1978 the
accused repeated all the earlier allegations of bias and supplemented them with a
number of scandalous, scurrilous and baseless allegations. He also took such
objections to the Court’s rulings or procedure adopted by it, which can be taken
only before a Court of Appeal. Since the practice of this Court is to hear motion
cases in Chambers and he Bench trying the case was of the view that the petition
was submitted only to scandalize the Court and to give publicity to these
baseless allegations with a view to shake public confidence in the Court, it was
considered proper to hear this transfer case in motion in Chambers. The accused
was called to the Chambers alone to argue the matter since he had submitted the
petition in person and not through counsel. On entering the Chamber the
principal accused showed surprise that the matter was not being heard in Court
and requested that it should be heard there. This made it obvious that he was
more interested in publicizing his baseless and scandalous allegations in the
petition and his arguments on it. He was informed that motion cases are
294. When the Bench assembled in the Court room for recording the evidence
of Ghulam Hussain. approver (P.W. 31) who had already been cross-examined at
length by Mr. Ehsan Qadir on behalf of the principal accused, the learned
counsel stated that lie had no more question to ask since his client had instructed
him to do so.
295. Later Mr. D. M. Awan stated at the Bar that his client had withdrawn the
powers of attorney of all his counsel. He also placed on record writing by the
principal accused that he did not wait to defend in view of what had happened
that day. The reference was obviously to the hearing of his petit r for transfer in
Chamber, its dismissal and the fact that the said accused had to be ordered to
take a seat since the Court was not inclined to hear irrelevant arguments or a
political speech in a trial which is to be conducted under the provisions of the
Evidence Act.
296. Mr. Ehsan Qadir and Mr. D. M. Awan were directed to conduct the
defence at State expenses. Mr. Ehsan Qadir appeared before the Bench after the
Court rose for the day and requested to be relieved since he had other
professional business to attend at Sargodha where he usually practices. Next day
297. The High Court Rules make provisions for arranging a Counsel in a
Sessions Court for an unrepresented person accused of an offence punishable
with capital sentence in case he is indigent. Where the case is tried by the High
Court on its original side Rule 2 Chapter 4-E of Volume V of the High Court
Rules and Orders vests the Court with discretion to arrange representation even
for the defence of an accused who is not a pauper and can afford to engage a
course. It was in exercise of this discretion in favour of the accused that the Court
had asked the counsel who had defended him so long, to continue defending
him at State expense. Since the accused appeared bent upon thwarting this
attempt to arrange for his defence at Stage expense and refused to co-operate
with the counsel the Court relieved Mr. D. M. Awan and directed the accused to
conduct the case himself.
298. This was the only course open to the Court since it has no authority under
the above Rule to force Upon the accused the services of a counsel if he is
unwilling to accept them. As observed by a Division Bench of the Lahore High
Court in PLD 1954 Lahore 547 (Iftikhar-ud-Din v. State) if the accused
contumaciously refuses to accept the offer of legal advice made to him and is not
willing to accept the representation arranged by the Court he must he left to
conduct his case himself.
299. The accused refused to cross-examine other witnesses who were formal.
Mr. Qurban Sadiq Ikram, learned counsel for Mian Muhammad Abbas, accused,
however, cross-examined them in detail en all relevant points. He brought on
record and proved through the prosecution witness most of these statements
under sections 161 and 164 Cr. P.C. made by witnesses for the prosecution with
which the counsel for the principal accused had tried to confront them. This was
done presumably because the defence of the two accused appears to be identical.
300. When the first question was put to the said accused in his examination
under section 342 Cr. P.C. he stated that since he was boycotting the proceedings
he would not be offering any defence. He would, how ever, make a statement
only about the reasons why the present case was fabricated against him and why
he apprehended that he would not get fair trial and justice in this Court.
301. A reference to the last point was entirely uncalled for since the accused
had already submitted a number of petitions making false, baseless and
scandalous allegations against the Court which had been disposed of. These
allegations were not at all relevant to the statement under section 342 Cr. P.C. Yet
if the accused considered it necessary to harp on the same tune it must be only
Now no Court much less a superior Court can allow litigant to challenge before it
its fairness, integrity and impartiality, or to scandalize it and to go on repeating
with impunity, scandalous and libelous attacks on Judges which are calculated to
lower the authority of the Judges and to malign them, if this is allowed it would
shake the public confidence in the administration of justice. In exercise of the
discretion vested in the Courts by the proviso to Section 352 Cr. P.C. the
proceedings were therefore directed to be held in Camera.
302. Next day when the Court assembled the principal accused showed
surprise that the press and the public had been excluded from the Court. He
emphasised that it should be an open trial. His attention was drawn to section
352 of the Criminal Procedure Code which confers a discretion upon the Court to
order at any stage of any particular case it may thinks fit that the public generally
or any particular person shall not have access to or be or remain in the room or
building used by it. The accused stated that he would consult his lawyers on the
question whether the proceedings can be held in camera. It was pointed out to
him that he had already given up his lawyers. The next question under section
342 Cr. P.C. (Question No. 54) was then put to him. Instead of answering the
question he dictated a statement covering more than 9 pages in which he
amongst other things attacked the Courts’ impartiality and the legality of the
order holding the trial in camera.
303. At the end of this irrelevant address the Chief Justice advised him to
answer the questions since it was in his own interest to do so and assured him
that in case he agreed to make a statement all questions would be put to him
again. He requested for time to consult Mr. Yahya Bakhtiar and Mr. D. M. Awan.
The case was, therefore, adjourned to the 28th of January, 1978 to enable the
accused to seek legal advice.
304. The accused met his counsel Mr. Yahya Bakhtiar for 3½ hours on 25th
January, 1978. He again met his counsel in jail on the next two days. However, he
submitted an application for copy of the order for holding the proceedings in
camera and copies of his statements recorded on 24th and 25th of January, 1978.
The copies of the order as well as his statement made on 24th January, 1978 were
supplied to him on the 28th January, 1978. The copy of the statement made on
25th January, 1978 could not, however, be supplied to him since it contained
scandalous and scurrilous remarks against the Court. On 28th January, 1978 the
accused again requested for further time to consult his counsel on the question
whether the proceedings could be held in Camera. It was pointed out to him that
306. The Court re-assembled after about half an hour. The accused stated that
his counsel had by then hardly read a few questions out of the statement made
on the 24th January, 1978, and the time given to him was insufficient for advice.
The Court did not agree to any further adjournment since the reading of his
earlier statement under section 342 Cr. P.C. was not material for tendering advice
on the question whether he should answer questions particularly when My Lord
the Chief Justice had assured him that all the questions will be put to him again
in case he agreed to answer them. When the next question was put to the witness
he again dictated a statement almost repeating what he had already stated on the
25th January, 1978. This statement covers more than eleven pages. Thereafter he
did not answer any question put to him.
307. After his statement was recorded, the said accused was asked to sign it,
but he refused to do so. He was asked to read the statement. On his inquiry
whether he could correct the typographical or grammatical errors, he was told to
make any correction for so long as the substance of the statement was not
changed. He wrote certain uncalled for and incorrect remarks that the statement
might not have been complete.
308. Thereafter the accused sent an application through the Superintendent Jail,
in which he alleged that his statement was not correctly and completely recorded.
This application was dismissed since the statement hail been typed on the
dictation of the accused himself, and the allegations leveled in the petition were
absolutely false.
309. On the 25th of January, 1978, a few supporters of the principal accused
demonstrated against the holding of the Court in camera and created disturbance
outside the Chambers of My Lord the Chief Justice. In view of the possibility of
such disturbances occurring in future, it was ordered that the proceedings of the
trial shall be held in camera.
310. On 7.2 1978 after the defence evidence had been recorded, the accused
was asked whether he would like to cross-examine D.W. 4 who had been
produced on behalf of the three confessing accused. The accused stated that he
would not cross-examine him but make a statement on his statement. He was
allowed to do so although he had no right to make such statement after the close
of his statement under Section 342 Cr. P.C. He dictated more than eleven pages
to the typist and repeated all that had been said by him on the 25th and 28th of
311. The statement of the principal accused under Section 342 Cr. P.C. was
recorded on three dates i.e. 24.1.1978, 25.1.1978 and 28.1.197. The accused did not
answer the first question whether Ahmad Raza Kasuri, P.W. 1 was a founder
member of the Pakistan Peoples Party and was elected to the National Assembly
in the Elections of 1970 on the ticket of that party. He stated that he would not be
offering any defence since he was boycotting the proceedings of the trial and had
already withdrawn the Wakalarnamas of his counsel after his applications dated
the 18th December, 1977 (for transfer of the case) and 22nd December, 1977
(requesting for hearing of the application dated the 18th December, 1978) were
dismissed by this Bench in Chambers. He further stated that he would confine
his statement mainly to two issues i.e. the reason for his lack of confidence in the
fairness of the trial and the reason why this case had been fabricated against him.
He answered the question whether Ahmad Raza Kasuri had advocated on the
floor of the House that 94000 P.O.W.s were locked up because of his (accused’s)
connivance with the Indian Government. He stated that it was preposterous for
any Pakistani to think that he would connive with India, a country against which
he had mobilized the people of Pakistan to wage a thousand years’ war.
Similarly when he was asked about what had happened on the 3rd June, 1974, on
the floor of the National Assembly, the accused stated that by his assertion about
the unanimous approval of the Constitution by a democratically elected
Parliament, he did not mean that all the members must have voted for it. It only
meant that all the parties and their leaders had not only approved it but had also
sighed it. It was in this sense that the 1973 Constitution was a unanimous and a
democratic Constitution. He cited examples of some Prime Ministers of England
losing temper and said that even Abdul Wali Khan had shouted in the
Parliament at Abdul Hafeez Pirzada that he would wring his neck and would
shoot the Prime Minister or the President, but the Speaker expunged the words ‘I
will shoot you’ from the Assembly proceedings. He denied that he did not
appreciate criticism and stated that he would not have risen to political heights if
he had not been tolerant. He added that he had heard disagreements in the
Central Committee of his Cabinets which some times went on nonstop for 24
hours. Regarding the statement of Saeed Ahmad Khan P.W. 3 that he was paid
from the secret fund or that a devise was found out to pay him from the funds of
the All Pakistan Research Organization in his capacity as their Legal and
Administrative Consultant, the accused replied that the said Organization was
basically an Intelligence agency.
312. He further stated that he did not take political advice from bureaucrats and
that the dismissed officers were being re-instated even by the present
Government. He stated that he did not know Abdul Hamid Bajwa nor needed
313. In regard to the preparation of Exs. P.W. 31, P.W. 32 and P.W. 33 he stated
that so far as he remembered the D.I.B. and the D.G.I.S.I. special branches of the
Provincial Government and the District Magistrates kept copious files of
prominent individuals during the British rule, and “this practice has continued
from those days to our times”.
314. Regarding Mian Muhammad Abbas also he stated that he did not know
him till 1976 and never spoke to him either directly or on telephone. He came to
know him only in the late 1976 when Masood Mahmood (P.W. 2) told him that a
very competent officer of his had suffered heart attack and was hospitalized and
as such the burden of his own work had increased.
315. He stated that the objectives of the Federal Security Force, as brought on
record, were completely false and concocted. His impression was that this Force
was established in almost all Federations in the world.
317. As already stated the accused did not answer any question on the 25th
and 28th January but proceeded to make either irrelevant or scandalous
statements.
318. Mian Muhammad Abbas accused had already retracted his confession
before the opening of the trial. He stated that his statement under Section 164 Cr.
P.C. was obtained under duress as well as promises. He denied the charge in
every respect he stated that he did not have good relations with Masood
Mahmood P.W. 2 in fact Masood Mahmood did not have good relations even
with his predecessor since the latter had been given an ad hoc promotion to the
rank of D.I.G. of Police whereas Masood Mahmood was ignored.
He said that another reason for this was that Nawab Iftikhar Hussain, one of the
leading landlords of Multan was accused of the offence of murder. The police
was after him. P.W. 2 who had a soft corner for him and wanted to help him, but
he (the accused) repulsed his attempt. The third reason was that some Ulema led
a deputation to the Nawab of Kalabagh, Governor of the Punjab and represented
that they had not been given proper protection by P.W. 2 (as D.I.G.) whom they
had met. The Governor of the Punjab (it should be West Pakistan) asked the
accused regarding the truthfulness or otherwise of the allegation made. The
matter was fully verified and was known to the gentry of Multan. He referred to
the callous attitude of P.W. 2 and stated that the papers relating to the complaint
lodged by Azmat Ullah Khan Deputy Commissioner, Multan, might be brought
on the file.
320. The accused admitted the writing of Ex. P.W. 2/2 and receipt of reply Ex.
P.W. 2/3 from Mervyn Rupert Welch P.W. 4 but stated that this correspondence
was exchanged in routine. He denied having assigned to Ghulam Hussain the
task of Organization of and running of a Commando Course on the ground that
during the time of P.W. 2, even a constable could not be transferred without his
oral orders regarding the supply of arms, he stated that it was under the charge
of the Deputy Director (Equipment and Stores). Accordingly if any arms and
ammunition were issued, they must have issued under the orders of the Deputy
Director Incharge of the Deputy Director General.
321. He denied having sent for Ghulam Hussain and having asked him about
Ahmad Raza Kasuri or having placed a jeep at his disposal or having supplied to
him the addresses of Ahmad Raza Kasuri. He said that he was sick during those
days and had himself examined by a heart specialist. He stated that he submitted
his resignation Ex. P.W. 2/13-D and then another resignation Exs. P.W. 2/12-D
but they were returned to him because Masood Mahmood P.W. 2 did not agree
to his quitting the Department and Saeed Ahmad Khan P.W. 3 also tried to
persuade, him to continue service.
322. Regarding the transport he stated that it was in the charge of the Deputy
Director (E. & S.). He stated that Inspector Ghulam Hussain had direct contact
324. The accused filed a written statement in which he added that during the
period of Anti-Qadiani movement in the year 1974, P.W. 2 had verbally ordered
plain clothes men to stand guard at the house of Mr. N. A. Farooqi, his relative,
and this guard remained posted at his house for a period of one year. P.W. 2 got
annoyed because of the objection taken by the accused to this illegality. He
further felt annoyed after the promulgation of Martial Law, on seeing a
statement of the accused alleging that he had taken more than Rs. 95,000';00 out
of the F.S.F. Secret Fund. The accused also made a statement before the Inquiry
Committee, implicating P.W. 2. He further stated that he had held an inquiry
against Amir Badshah P.W. 20 also and submitted his report Ex. P.W. 201-D. In
paragraph No. 8 of the written statement he stated that the armory at the
Headquarters was meant only for the supply of arms and ammunition in bulk to
various battalions and not for individuals. He added that he had made adverse
observations against P.W. 4 also during an inquiry against one Mustafa Khan of
Quetta.
325. All the confessing accused, namely Ghulam Mustafa, Arshad Iqbal and Rana
Iftikhar Ahmad admitted having made voluntary statements under Section 164
Cr. P.C. and confessed the role played by them in the incident of the night
between the 10th and 11th November, 1974. Ghulam Mustafa admitted that he
had been given a jeep under the orders of Mian Muhammad Abbas and the latter
had supplied to him fake number-plates with instructions that none of the
number-plates should be displayed on the jeep for a long time. He admitted
having obtained, at different times pistols, sten-guns and their ammunition from
Amir Badshah Khan as stated by the prosecution witnesses of the prosecution.
According to him, the first sten-gun with 30 cartridges and two pistols with 16
cartridges were obtained by him for the mission to assassinate the Retired Justice
Jamil Hussain Rizvi under the orders of Mian Muhammad Abbas who informed
him that such were the orders of P.W. 2 and the principal accused. He was,
however, deterred from carrying out the mission in view of the old age of Syed
Jamil Hussain Rizvi despite threat of his extermination and annihilation of his
family and children given by Ghulam Muhammad Abbas. He referred to similar
threats given at different stages (as stated by Ghulam Hussain) by Mian
Muhammad Abbas to him and the other two confessing accused as well as
Approver Ghulam Hussain. He supported the statement of Amir Bad-shah Khan
also in every respect in so far as it concerned the supply of arms and ammunition
to him under the orders of Mian Muhammad Abbas. He also stated that on his
visit to the spot on the 11th November, 1974, he had seen the marks of bullet on
the wall and had also passed on the information to the Control Room as well as
to Mian Muhammad Abbas as instructed by him.
327. He produced his pass bearing No. 5807 for the National Assembly to
show that he had been on duty in the National Assembly where he used to
gather intelligence report from the cafeteria and then pass it on to Mian
Muhammad Abbas. Twenty to twenty-five jeeps of the F.S.F., according to him,
used to patrol around the building with weapons like sten-guns and rifles with
the object of preventing any demonstration against the Government and also to
overawe the Members of the Opposition. He stated that he had seen Masood
Mahmood P.W. 2 for the first time in the High Court and his contact was directly
with Mian Muhammad Abbas. The F.S.F., according to his statement, had been
set up for terrorizing people, for dispersing public meetings and processions of
the Opposition Leaders and for suppressing any sort of opposition to the
Government and also for making the Peoples Party meetings successful. He
referred to certain other secret missions which had to be performed by the F.S.F.
including an attack on Muhammad Ali Actor under orders by Mian Muhammad
Abbas.
328. At the end he stated that he had acted in accordance with law and had
made true statement regarding all the facts of the case before the Court. He had
not committed any offence and instead of being arraigned as an accused in the
case he should have been produced as a witness. He summed up by saying that
this offence had been committed under the orders, pressure and intimidation of
Mian Muhammad Abbas and on being told that it was his duty to perform the
act provided by the F.S.F. Act and the Rules, and also the oath administered to
him, which he should perform.
329. He filed a written statement in which he repeated what had already been
said. He added in this statement that once he received a telephone call from Mian
Muhammad Abbas to ask Ghulam Hussain to finish as soon as possible a traitor
to the Nation. He also said that the principal accused and P.W. 2 had disgraced
him on account of the delay and if Ghulam Hussain did not execute the mission
he should be thrown out of the office. He threatened that another party was
being detailed which will carry out the secret mission and will deal with the
confessing accused as well as Ghulam Hussain. The accused referred to a
330. Arshad Iqbal, as stated above, confessed the role said to have been played
by him. He referred to the telephone call by Ghulam Mustafa to Mian
Muhammad Abbas in which he informed the latter about the refusal of Arshad
Iqbal to perform the mission. Soofi Ghulam Mustafa then informed him of the
threatening words used by Mian Muhammad Abbas on the telephone. He
received a telephonic call after one hour from Ch. Nazir Ahmad, Deputy Director
(Intelligence and Operations), Rawalpindi, who threatened him with murder if
he failed to perform the duty assigned to him. He stated that he had to abide by
the orders because he and his other co-accused were afraid of their lives. Soon
after the occurrence he tendered his resignation to Ghulam Mustafa who
forwarded it to Mian Muhammad Abbas but the latter rejected it and held out
threats to him. He submitted other resignation also which were similarly turned
down. He stated that when P.V. 2, than Muhammad Abbas and Ch. Nazir
Ahmad were fed up with his resignations, they planned his murder but in the
murderous assault carried on him in 1975, his elder brother Amjad Iqbal received
grievous injuries as a result of which he died. He gave instances where direct
instructions were given to him by Mian Muhammad Abbas. He referred to
various misdeeds of the F.S.F. and the secret missions which he was asked to
perform, but it is unnecessary to describe the same in detail.
332. Rana Iftikhar Ahmad, the last confessing accused also gave the details of
the occurrence. He also relied upon the form of oath, which according to him,
bound him to remain loyal even to the principal accused. He stated that the
persons enrolled in the F.S.F. were brain-washed so as to abide by their oath and
obey all orders issued by the Headquarters. He also referred to several other
missions in which he participated as a Member of the F.S.F. under order of Mian
Muhammad Abbas and said that Mian Muhammad Abbas used to be the in-
charge of all such missions. He reiterated almost all these points in his written
statement.
335. D.W. 3, Abdul Khaliq, who had also appeared as P.W. 41, produced
attested copies of Report No. 2 dated the 26th October, 1974, and report No. 5
dated the 7th November, 1974 from the Daily Diary of Batallion No. 3. F.S.F.
Walton Camp, Lahore, which were taken into possession by Recovery Memo Ex.
D.W. 3;j1 by Inspector Muhammad Boota P.W. 39. He also produced the office
copy of the T.A. Bill of Mian Muhammad Abbas for the month of November,
1974 to prove the presence of Mian Muhammad Abbas in Peshawar till the
afternoon of the 12th of November, 1974. H-1 produced letter dated the 10th
January, 1973 purporting to have been initialled by late Haq Nawaz Tawana,
former Director General of the Federal Security Force.
336. The three confessing accused produced Abdul Majid who had already
appeared on behalf of Mian Muhammad Abbas, as D.W. 4. He produced Annual
Confidential Reports of Mian Muhammad Abbas, Exs. D.W. 4/1 pertaining to
the period from 1.1.1974 to 31.12.1974, Ex. D.W. 4/2 for the calendar year 1975
and Ex. D.W. 4/3 for the calendar year 1976. He produced the order Ex. D.W.
4/4 dated the 15th January, 1974, passed by Mian Muhammad Abbas, Acting
Director, F.S.F., promoting Ghulam Hussain P.W. 31, as Sub Inspector and
another order Ex.P.W. 4/5 dated the 16th July, 1974, passed by Mian
Muhammad Abbas awarding Ghulam Hussain, Inspector Rs. 75/- with a
recommendation certificate for running a Commando Course painstakingly and
efficiently. He also proved documents Ex. D.W. 4/6, a recommendation by P.W.
2 to process the case of promotion of Mian Muhammad Abbas to the post of
Director, F.S.F. in Grade 19; D.W. 4/9, an order of P.W. 2 dated 15th June, 1976
according sanction of honoraria to Officers of the F.S.F. including Mian
Muhammad Abbas for the performance of works of special merit; Ex. D.W. 4/7
notifying grant of two months leave by P.W. 2 to Mian Muhammad Abbas from
15th March, 1975, and Ex. D.W. 4/8, a certificate of no objection to the grant of
loan to the said accused. This witness was directed to bring the oath taken at the
time of their induction in the F.S.F. by Ghulam Mustafa and Arshad Iqbal, but he
337. After the production of this evidence Mian Muhammad Abbas filed a
supplementary written statement making reference to his statement Ex. D.W. 1~1
made before the F.S.F. Inquiry Committee, identifying the original entries in the
Roznamcha Register taken into possession by Memo Ex. D.W. 31 to be in the
handwriting of Muhammad Yousaf, Head Constable. He stated in the statement
that the Annual Confidential Reports were given by the Deputy Director General
(0) who was the reporting officer and P.W. 2 had given his remarks on those
reports in routine which in fact indicated that he was not prepared to say
anything in his favour. He admitted that he had obtained loan from the
Agricultural Development Bank on a No Objection Certificate, but he stated that
P.W. 2 had no hand in the matter. He admitted that he was given an honorarium
of Rs. 700.00 but he added that this was given to him by the Director. Regarding
the award of Rs. 75/- to Ghulam Hussain, he stated that it was given on the
recommendation of the Director General. He stressed, however, that there was
no separate Commando Course at Islamabad.
338. After the defence evidence was closed Mian Qurban Sadiq Ikram argued
that the Public Prosecutor should be called upon to sum up his case and the
accused should be allowed to sum up his reply later. This submission ignored
Section 265-G Cr. P.C. which provides in its sub-section (2) that:
“In cases where the accused or any one of the several accused
examines evidence in his defence, the Court shall, on the close of
the defence case, call upon the accused to sum up the case where
after the prosecutor shall make a reply.”
Before the charges were read out to the accused, Mr. D. M. Awan,
appearing for accused No. 1 raised some preliminary objections against the
competence of the trial. He argued that the Federal Investigation Agency Act,
1971 (Act VIII of 1975) allowed the Federal Investigating Agency constituted
under the Act to inquire into and investigate offences specified in the Schedule
and no other offence. He argued that sections 302 and 307 P.P.C. were not
included in the Schedule to the Act and consequently could not be investigated
by the Agency. He further urged that though the Federal Government has the
power under Section 6 of the Act to amend the Schedule by notification in the
official Gazette so as to add any entry thereto or modify or omit any of its entry,
yet it did not make any amendment in the Schedule incorporating either of these
sections.
340. This argument is without merit since Section 302 P.P.C. is one of the
sections added to the Schedule by Notification No. SRO-405(I)/75 published in
the Gazette of Pakistan, Extraordinary, Part II, dated the 9th April, 1975. Section
307 deals with offence of attempt to murder which can be investigated by the
Agency under Section 3 of the Act which empowers the Agency not only to
investigate offences specified in the Schedule but also “an attempt or conspiracy
to commit, and abetment of any such offence.”
341. The second objection of Mr. D. M. Awan is that the final report was not
submitted by a Police Officer in-charge of any Police Station as required by
Section 173 Cr. P.C. but was submitted by Mr. Abdul Khaliq, Deputy Director,
F.I.A. The cognizance of the case could not, therefore, be taken by the Magistrate
and the trial of the accused on such challan would be illegal. He argued that
Section 190 Cr. P.C. allows a Magistrate to take cognizance of the offence either
upon a report in writing of facts constituting the offence made by any police
officer, or upon receiving a complaint or upon information from any person
other than a police officer or upon his own knowledge or suspicion that such
offence has been committed. Where the cognizance is taken upon a report it must
be on the report of a police officer described in Section 173 Cr. P.C. i.e. an officer
in-charge of a police station. Since in the instant case there is no report of an
officer in-charge of the police station, the Magistrate had no jurisdiction to take
cognizance of this case or to send it to the Court of Session.
343. The third objection is that on 11th of September, 1977, when the
Magistrate took cognizance of this case and sent it under Section 193 Cr. P.C. to
the Court of Sessions, only an incomplete challan had been presented. It was
urged that the Magistrate had no authority to take cognizance of the matter
unless a complete challan was presented to him. He urged that only such a
challan could be said to be a final report as required by Section 173 Cr. P.C.
344. This objection is equally without merit since the law does not recognize
the distinction between an incomplete challan and a complete challan. As
observed in Wazir v. The State I PLD 1962 (W.P.) Lahore 405), trial can be started
on an incomplete challan. In Zafar Sarwar v. The State (1969 S.C.-M.R. 59) it was
held that there is no provision for submission of any interim or incomplete report
under Section 173 Cr. P.C. In that case the investigation was complete in all other
respects except that the report of the Ballistic Expert had not been received by the
27th of December, 1967. It was held that it could not, therefore, be said that the
report dated the 27th December, 1967, did not satisfy the requirement of Section
173 or that the Magistrate was precluded from taking cognizance until the final
challan was submitted. In Ata Muhammad v. Inspector General of Police West
Pakistan (PLD 1965 (W.P.) Lahore 734) and Muhammad. Akbar v. State (1972
S.C.M.R. 335) it was held there is no statutory prohibition for the police not to
embark on a fresh investigation of the case even after the submission of the final
report and to remove defects in the first investigation detected subsequently.
345. Mr. D. M. Awan conceded that this was the law but he submitted that it
became inapplicable after the amendment of the Code of Criminal Procedure by
the Law Reforms Ordinance and addition of Section 265-C which makes it
incumbent upon the Court to supply to the accused copies of the statements of
witnesses under Section 161 and 164 Cr. P.C. 7 days before the start of trial. He
submitted that an investigation continued after the start of trial may render
347. What is requisite before a Magistrate takes cognizance is that the report
submitted to him, even though incomplete, should make out an offence. In the
present case the incomplete challan dated the 11th of September, 1977, included
the names of all the accused, the evidence collected by that time, as also the facts
prima facie connecting the accused with the offence. In these circumstances,
nothing more was required for the learned Magistrate to enable him to take
cognizance or for the trial Court to start trial.
Moreover the mere fact that a police officer not competent to investigate has
carried out the investigation is not a defect which may vitiate the trial, (Walizar v.
State PLD 1960 Karachi 204) and Manzoor Elahi v. State (PLD 1960 Karachi 607)
nor is a complete challan a sine qua non of the trial.
348. It was also argued that the High Court could have transferred the case to
its own file after the same was taken cognizance of by the Magistrate and was
sent by him to the Court of Session. This argument would be without force if
once it is held that the Magistrate can take cognizance of an incomplete challan
and transmit the case on its basis to the Court of Session Under Section 193 Cr.
P.C.
349. After the start of trial both the prosecution and the defence wished the
report of Mr. Justice Shaf-ur-Rahman to be admitted in evidence, Mr. Justice
Shafi-ur-Rahman was appointed as a Tribunal under the provisions of West
Pakistan Tribunals u Inquiry Ordinance 2 of 1969, to inquire into the causes of
the death of the deceased.
350. The object of the prosecution was to prove from this report that the
Tribunal had specified certain guiding principles for investigation, but the
Investigating Officer while conducting the investigation, purposely did not keep
those principles in view. Mr. D. M. Awan, the learned counsel for the principal
351. In reply to this last contention the learned Special Public Prosecutor made
a categorical statement that only one statement was made by Ahmad Raza Khan
Kasuri before the Tribunal and the copy of that statement had been supplied to
the learned counsel for the defence. Ahmad Raza Khan Kasuri also denied
having made any other statement before the Tribunal.
351. Mr. D. M. Awan relied upon Malik Din v. Muhammad Aslam (PLD 1969
S.C. 136) in which it was held that judgments whether inter partes or not, are
conclusive evidence for and against all persons whether parties, privies, or
strangers, of its own existence, date and legal effect, as distinguished from the
accuracy of the: decision, rendered. In other words, the law attributes unerring
verity to the substantive as opposed to the judicial portions of the record. It was
also held in that case that where the judgment is inter partes, even recitals in such
a judgment are admissible to prove a statement or admission or an
acknowledgement made by a party or his predecessor in-interest in his pleadings
in a previous litigation. Mr. D. M. Awan also relied upon the provisions of
Section 4 of the West Pakistan Tribunals of Inquiry Ordinance, 1969 which
confers upon the Tribunal powers of a Civil Court for certain specified purposes.
He argued on this basis that the report of the Tribunal is a judgment to which the
authority of the Supreme Court would apply.
352. None of the argument have any force. The authority relied upon by Mr. D.
M. Awan is distinguishable for several reasons. The Evidence Act does not make
findings arrived at on the evidence before the Court in one case evidence of that
fact in another case. Each case is to be judgement upon its own facts established
by the evidence led therein. Muhammad Khurshid Vs. State (PLD 1963 S.C. 157).
Malik Din v. Muhammad Aslam Supra does not depart from this principle. It
only lays down the principle that a judgment is evidence of its own existence (2)
of the date on which it purports to have been delivered and (3) of its effect as
provided by law, as distinguished from the accuracy of the decision rendered. A
judgment which decides disputes between two parties is admissible even to
prove recitals of pleadings, admission, or acknowledgements made during the
course of litigation provided that the same parties are ranged as litigants and
disputants in the case in which the earlier judgment is admitted in evidence.
355. The Ordinance does not envisage the adjudication of any controversy
between two contending parties or trial of any offence. These provisions neither
confer upon the Tribunal the status of a Court (except for the limited purpose
expressed in the above two sections) nor render its report effective or executable
in any manner, or even binding upon the Government. The report cannot be held
to be a judgment.
356. It was held in Mohammad Saeed v. Election Tribunal West Pakistan etc.
(PL1) 1957 S.C. 91 (98) that generally a person performs judicial functions is he is
confined by the law to adjudicate upon and determine, as between the parties
some controversy relating to the existence or non-existence of a right or liability,
whether such right or liability be the creation of common law or Statute,
provided the right or liability is actionable under the general law or special law,
and the duty to determine the controversy is derived from the State and rests on
the ascertainment, with notice and of opportunity to parties of the facts and the
law applicable to them and not on policy expediency or some other extraneous
considerations for reasons given in the foregoing para, many of the criteria laid
down in this case would not apply to the Tribunal under the Ordinance
aforementioned. The report of the Tribunal is not therefore a judgment.
357. In this view of the matter the authority of the Supreme Court which deals
with settlement of disputes inter partes by a judgment of the Court is clearly
distinguishable.
358. The report being merely an opinion of a Tribunal based upon the evidence
recorded by it is not relevant under any section of the Evidence Act nor reference
to any such section was made by the learned counsel during arguments. The
contents of the report and the reference in it to any statement made before the
Tribunal is not therefore relevant.
359. The relevant portions of the report which were relied upon by Mr. D. M.
Awan were read before us. I do not find those extracts susceptible of any
360. Some statements are attributed to the persons who are now dead. They
were Abdul Ahad DSP, Ichhra, an Investigating Officer in this case, Abdul
Hameed Bajwa, an Officer on Special Duty in the Prime Minister’s Secretariat
who assisted P.W. 3, and Haq Nawaz Tiwana, prior Director General F.S.F.
361. The evidence about Abdul Ahad is that he prohibited Abdul Hayee Niazi,
S.H.O., Ichhra, P.W. 34 from preparing the recovery memo of articles on
11.11.1974 until he reached the place of occurrence, on the ground that the name
of the Prince Minister was mentioned in the First Information Report, that he
asked P.W. 34 to show the empties to the Ballistic Expert before they were sealed,
that he sealed the F.I.R., P.W. 34:3, that on 11.11.1974 he took the empties and
bullet in loose condition in a service envelope to the residence of the Inspector
General of Police, and on return from there informed P.W. 34 that the Inspector
General had kept the above articles and said that he would pass further orders
and investigation should be conducted according to his orders, that after his
return from Rawalpindi, two or three days after the 13th November, 1974, he
showed to P.W. 34 a draft for preparation of recovery memo of empties and
bullet which, he said, had been given to him from the Prime Minister’s House
and which he took back after the necessary memo was prepared, that at the time
of preparation of the recovery memo the empty cartridges were not present but
the D.S.P. told him that the same would be returned later, that P.W. 34 found the
number of the empties on the draft recovery memo different from the empties
actually recovered and when he questioned the D.S.P. about the empty
cartridges he intimated to him that it was an order which must be complied with
“otherwise both of us would find ourselves in trouble and not only our services
would be terminated but we would also be involved” (in criminal cases), that the
363. Similarly there is evidence of Masood Mahmood, P.W. 2 to the effect that
before he accepted the post of Director General, Federal Security Force. Abdul
Hamid Bajwa impressed upon him the fact that if he did not accept the job
offered to him, his wife and children might not be able to see him again. He
reminded him several times about the mission to liquidate Ahmad Raza Kasuri
P.W. 1. He communicated to him an order of the principal accused to keep his
mouth shut when it was discovered that P.W. 2 knew about the delivery of arms
and ammunitions to Jam Sadiq Ali in the office of the Defence Secretary.
364. There is evidence that secure reports were sent by Abdul Hamid Bajwa to
the Prime Minister vide covering letters Exs. P.W. 3/1-A, P.W. 3/4-B and P.W.
3/11-C. There is not only evidence that Abdul Hamid Bajwa made efforts to
bring Ahmad Raza Kasuri to the fold of the People’s Party but there are also
reports sent to the then Prime Minister (the principal accused) regarding Ahmad
Raza Kasuri’s activities in this regard. These are Exs. P.W. 3/2-C, P.W. 3/2-F P.W.
365. Mr. D. M. Awan some times raised specific objections in regard to such
and similar statements, oral or written, that they do not fall under any of the
clauses of section 32 of the Evidence Act and as such are inadmissible. This
objection was not taken specifically in regard to some documents emanating
from or signed by Abdul Hamid Bajwa and some oral statements ascribed to him.
It was, however, understood that the objection under Section 32 of the Evidence
Act would relate to each statement document attributed to Abdul Hamid Bajwa
or Abdul Ahad.
366. Section 32 of the Evidence Act provides that a statement, written or verbal,
of relevant facts made by a person who is dead .......... are themselves relevant
facts in the following cases:
1) ........................
2) When the statement was made by such person in the
ordinary course of business, .......... or in the discharge of
professional duty. ...........................
3) When the statement .......... if true, it would expose
him ................ to a criminal prosecution ...................
4) ................................
5) ................................
6) ...............................
7) ................................
8) ...............................
368. In the case of Emperor v. Khawaja Nazir Ahmad (AIR 1945 P.C. 18(22) ILR
1945 Lahore 1) the following observations were made by their Lord¬ships of the
Privy Council deprecating interference even by the judiciary although honest
investigation of a case is necessary for correct administration of justice :-
In the case of Shahnaz Begum v. Hon’ble Judges of the High Court of Sindh and
Baluchistan (PLD 1971 S.C. 677), it was held that the High Court has no power of
supervision or control over Investigation Agencies under the Letters Patent. In
Wali Muhammad v. Haq Nawaz (1971 S.C.N.R. 717) the High Court suggested to
the Inspector General of Police to transfer investigation and it was accordingly
transferred from the local police to the Crime Branch. The order was held to be
without jurisdiction.
370. It is obvious from the evidence that illegal interference in the investigation
of the case by Abdul Hamid Bajwa etc. was plainly with a view to harbour the
real offenders and to make it impossible for the officer investigating the case of
detect the persons who had committed the offence.
371. It was the duty of Abdul Ahad to investigate the case or supervise its
investigation according to law in order to detect and bring the offenders to
justice. In order to preserve the evidence, it was his duty to see that the empties
were sealed and a recovery memo prepared immediately after the recovery. He
delivered the empties to Abdul Hamid Bajwa and subjected himself to his
influence in the investigation of the case. The directions given by him to Y.W. 34
in this connection would have exposed him to the prosecution under Sections
217 and 218 of the Pakistan Penal Code since what he did amounted to
disobedience of a direction of law as to the way in which he was required to
conduct himself as such public servant and charged with the preparation of any
record, as he was, he prepared that record in a manner which he knew to be
incorrect. These illegal acts and omissions were clearly with a view to save the
actual offenders from legal punishment. The threats would have exposed him to
prosecution under Section 506 Penal Code.
372. Abdul Hamid Bajwa would have been exposed equally to prosecution for
abetting those offences. In these circumstances, I have no doubt in my mind that
the statements attributed to these dead persons regarding threats and
373. The order to P.W. 28 to report to him the description of the gunman of
Ahmad Raza Kasuri would have exposed Abdul Hamid Bajwa to prosecution for
the offence of conspiracy in this case. It would also be covered by Section 32(3)
Evidence Act. Mr. Qurban Sadiq Ikram did not argue in favour of interference by
Abdul Hamid Bajwa etc. in the investigation of the case. He argued that the
Investigating Officer was only brought on the right lines so that P.W. 1 may not
exploit the situation. I do not feel impressed by this argument. This argument
ignores that the superior authority of Abdul Hamid Bajwa and Saeed Ahmad
Khan in that regime gave an advantage to them over the entire police
organization including the Inspector General of the Police. Their orders or
directions could not be disobeyed by any of them. This was not, therefore, only
an interference but a case of directing the investigation according to the whims of
those officers.
374. The evidence about the report is admissible and relevant under clause 2 of
section 32 as a statement made in due course of business or in discharge of
professional duty. Saeed Ahmad Khan P.W. 3 specifically stated about file Ex.
P.W. 3/2 that it was being maintained in the ordinary course of business. The
documents bearing the signature of Abdul Hamid Bajwa proved from that file
would fall under this provision. This principle will apply to the documents also
from files Ex. P.W. 311 and Ex. P.W. 3;3 and the remarks or entries in the Peon
Book since these are all official documents maintained presumably in the
ordinary course of business and in discharge of duties.
375. This fact is virtually admitted by the principal accused in his statement
under Section 342 Cr. P.C. While on the one hand refusing to answer questions
about the above mentioned files he added that so far as he remembered from
British times, the D.I.B., the D.G.I.S.I. special Branches of the Provincial
Government and the District Magistrates kept copious files of prominent
individuals. This practice has continued from time to time. In view of his refusal
to answer the question it would be necessary to refer to Section 342 Cr. P.C.,
which, in case of refusal of an accused examined under that Section to answer
any question, allows the Court to draw such inference from such a refusal as it
thinks just. The Court would be justified in drawing an inference of admission
about the maintenance of these files, from the analogy drawn in his answer by
the said accused from the working of the Intelligence Branches in the British
period and subsequently.
376. Similar objection was raised by Mr. D. M. Awan to the questions put by
Haq Nawaz Tiwana (now dead) former Director General of the F.S.F. to Ghulam
377. During the course of cross-examination the learned counsel for the
defence, in order to make out a case of improvements made by witnesses in their
examination-in-chief before this Court, drew the attention of the witnesses to
certain omissions in their earlier statements made before the police under Section
161 Cr. P.C. and sometimes also made before a Magistrate under Section 164
Cr.P.C. The witnesses explained the omission and sometimes pleaded want of
memory in case where the witness pleaded lack of memory the learned counsel
invariably requested the Court to make a note in bracket that the statement put
to the witness from his examination in Court was not recorded in some or all of
earlier statement. The Court did not consider it necessary to make such a note
which does not have any legal sanction. It was pointed out that an earlier
statement would be relevant under section 145 of the Evidence Act if it is
intended to contradict the witness. The questions put to the witness only
pertained to omissions which may or may- not amount to contradiction. The
defence would therefore be allowed to provisionally prove the earlier statements
formally and the question whether in the circumstances of the case an omission
is a contradiction would be decided after hearing the final arguments. It is in
view of this undertaking that the defence was allowed to prove statements Ex.
P.W. 39/5-D, Ex. P.W. 30/6-D, Ex. P.W. 39/7-D, Ex. P.W. 39/8-D, Ex. P.W. 39/9-
D, Ex. P.W. 41/3-D, Ex. P.W. 41/4-D, Ex. P.W. 41/5-D, Ex. P.W. 41/6-D and Ex.
P.W. 41/7-D made by the witnesses before P.Ws. 39 and 41 under section 161 Cr.
P.C. and statements Exs. P.W. 10/15-D, Ex. P.W. 10/16-D, Ex. P.W. 10/17-D, Ex.
P.W. 10/18-D, Ex. P.W. 10/19-D, Ex. P.W. 10/20-D and Ex. P.W. 10/21-D made
under section 164 Cr. P.C. before P.W. 10.
These authorities deal with the manner in which the provisions of Section
145 Evidence Act should be used by counsel and Courts while confronting a
witness with his statement made before the police under Section 161 Cr. P.C.
After reproducing the provisions of Section 145, Evidence Act, it was laid down
in the case of Gopi Chand that: -
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If the witness returns the answer in the affirmative, the previous
statement in writing need not be proved and the cross-examiner
may, if he so chooses, leaves it to the party who called the witness
to have the discrepancy, if any, explained in the course of
reexamination. If, on the other hand, the witness denies having
made the previous statement attributed to him or states that he
does not remember having made any such statement and it is
desired to contradict him by the record of the previous statement,
the cross-examiner must read out to the witness the relevant
portion or portions of the record which are alleged to be
contradictory to his statement in Court and give him an
opportunity to reconcile the same, if he can. It is only when the
cross-examiner has done so, that the record of the previous
statement becomes admissible in evidence for the purpose of
contradicting the witness and can then be proved in any manner
permitted by law.”
This statement of law was relied upon with the approval in the other case.
378. These authorities are distinguishable since the dictum laid down therein
would apply only to a case where a witness has specifically made a statement in
his earlier statement which is said to be contradictory to the statement made
during his examination at the trial. It cannot be applied to a case where the
statement made at the trial was not made at the earlier stages and is a mere
omission as distinguished from a contradiction.
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380. It is true that sometime an omission may have the force of an inconsistent
or contradictory statement and may be used for the purpose of impeaching the
credit of the witness but such cases are rare. A witness may omit to furnish
details in his previous statement or the previous statement may be absolutely
devoid of details. The omissions of details do not amount to contradiction. They
may have the force of contradiction only if the witness omits to refer to anything
in the previous statement which he must have mentioned in it in the
circumstances of a particular case.
382. Generally the witness is confronted with his statement made either before
the police under Section 161 Cr. P.C. or made before a Magistrate under Section
164 of the same Code. As regards the statement under Section 162 Cr. P.C. it was
pointed out in Queen Empress v. Nazir-ud-Din (ILR 16 Allahabad 207) that such
statements are recorded by the police officers in a most haphazard manner. The
officer conducting investigation not unnaturally record what seems in their
opinion material to the case at that stage and omit many matters equally material,
and, it may be of supreme importance as the case develops. Besides that, in most
cases they are not experts of what is and what is not evidence. The statements are
recorded hurriedly in the midst of crowd and confusion subject to frequent
interruption and suggestion from by-standers. Over and above all they cannot be
in any sense termed “deposition” they have not been prepared in the way of
deposition, they are not read over to, nor are they signed by, the deponent. There
is no guarantee that they do not contain much more or much less than what the
witness has said. In Deo Lal Mahton and others v. Emperor (AIR 1933 Patna 440)
it was observed that such statements are notoriously very condensed and the
omission of some detail in the note of a statement is not always a sure indication
that such detail was absent from the statement. What was observed in the
Allahabad case is borne out by the statement of the Investigating Officer Abdul
Khaliq P.W.41 who made it clear that while interrogating the witnesses whose
statements have been proved by the defence as Exs. P.W. 41/3-D, P.W.41/4, P.W.
41/5-D, Ex. P.W. 41/6-D and P.W. 41/7-D, he had merely kept note on the basis
of which he subsequently reduced the statement to writing. In these
circumstances, it is not safe to rely upon the statement under Section 161 Cr. P.C.
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made before P.W. 41 as depositions of thy, witnesses before the Investigating
Officer.
383. It may happen some times that the witness himself may not consider a fact
as material, and that fact may be brought on the record on specific questions by
the prosecution. Such are the questions which the Prosecutor might have
considered to be material in the light of the law governing the matter or after he
has gone through the police record or after the case for the prosecution has
developed. The omissions of such fact cannot be considered to verge on
inconsistency. There are numerous examples on the present record of such
matters.
384. The only example of such omissions which on the present record would
have been considered equivalent to contradiction was the statement made about
the role of Mian Muhammad Abbas made at the trial, by P.W. 24. But in view of
the clarification made by Muhammad Boota P.W. 39 that he had recorded
another statement of that witness under section 161 Cr. P.C. pertaining to
Islamabad incident I am of the view that the omission of that role in the
statement under section 161 Cr. P.C. recorded about the Lahore incident cannot
be considered as amounting to an inconsistency. The learned counsel for the non-
confessing accused did apply for copy of the earlier statement alleged to have
been made by Ahmad Raza Kasuri in the Islamabad incident. He could have also
applied for the copy of such statement made by P.W. 24. It can, therefore, be
assumed that his statement to the police during that investigation was in accord
with the evidence he gave at the trial. In my view the omissions put to the
witnesses in the present case do not amount to contradictions and are not
sufficient to discredit them.
385. During the course of the statement of Raja Nasir Nawaz P.W. 23 who
appeared before the Court to prove the F.I.R. dated 24th August, 1974, Ex .P.W.
23/1, which pertained to the earlier occurrence at Islamabad. Mr. D. M. Awan
made an effort to get the writing of the Deputy Superintendent of Police of the
same circle identified on which was stated to be a photostat copy of a copy of
statement alleged to have been made by Ahmad Raza Kasuri P.W. 1 before the
said Deputy Superintendent of Police under Section 161 Cr. P.C. He was not
allowed to prove this document through P.W. 23 for two reasons. Firstly, Ahmad
Raza Kasuri denied having made such a statement. In such circumstances, even
if the identity of the hand-writing of the Deputy Superintendent of Police was
established, it would not have proved that the statement was really made by
Ahmad Raza Kasuri. It would be necessary for the principal accused to prove by
legal evidence, the fact that the statement was made by P.W. 1, the factum of the
making of the statement cannot be proved by the writing being in the hand of the
officer, who purports to have recorded it. The second ground was that the
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witness did not have before him the original signature. No justification was
made for proving the photostat copy of the original statement. The D.S.P. could
be produced as a defence witness but this course was not adopted.
386. When Muhammad Yousaf Qazi, P.W. 26 proved the writing of Abdul
Hamid Bajwa in Ex. P.W. 32-B (which had already been proved by P.W. 3 Mr.
Saeed Ahmad Khan), Mr. D. M. Awan raised an objection that it would not be
permissible to let the same document be proved by two witnesses. In support of
this objection he submitted that he was not allowed by the Court to prove the
copy of the statement of Ahmad Raza Kasuri made by him under Section 161 Cr.
P.C. before the Deputy Superintendent of Police Islamabad, through P.W. 23 who
had worked with the Deputy Superintendent of Police. This point has already
been dealt with in some detail. However, there is no analogy between the
objection raised and the order passed earlier. In fact the reference to the earlier
order was absolutely irrelevant. The only objection taken to the statement of P.W.
26 was that he could not prove what had already been proved by another
witness. To say the least the objection is absurd because it would amount to
suggesting that a matter can be proved only by the evidence of a single witness
and the evidence of another witness to corroborate or support the testimony
would be inadmissible. This objection was, therefore, overruled.
387. The argument in support of this last objection and the irrelevant reference
to the earlier ruling brings in bold relief uncounsel-like arrogance of Mr. D. M.
Awan which has been discussed in detail while disposing of the petition of the
principal accused dated 18.1.1978 for transfer of the case.
388. At this stage an objection by Mr. Ijaz Hussain Batalvi, the learned Special
Public Prosecutor may be considered. He argued that a statement recorded
under Section 161 Cr. P.C. during the investigation of the occurrence at
Islamabad cannot be used in this case. This objection was held to be without
substance, since Section 162 bars the use of a statement made under Section 161
Cr. P.C. during the course of the investigation of the same case which is being
tried except for the purpose of contradicting him in the manner provided by
Section 145 Evidence Act. There is no such bar regarding the statements made
before a police officer by the same witness in the investigation of any other case
which is not before the Court. Such a statement can, therefore, be used for the
purpose of contradicting a witness under Section 145 Cr. P.C. as well as for other
purposes admissible in law.
389. P.W. 28, Ashiq Muhammad Lodhi stated that in January, 1975, Abdul
Hamid Bajwa called him and ordered him to give the description of the gunman
of Ahmad Raza Kasuri, who accompanied him to the National Assembly
Cafeteria and the Gallery, Mr. D. M. Awan raised an objection to the
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admissibility of this evidence on the ground that this was a matter subsequent to
the occurrence in which a murderous attack was made on Ahmad Raza Kasuri
resulting in the murder of his father. Mr. Ijaz Hussain Batalvi stated that this
matter fell within the four-corners of Section 7 of the Evidence Act. The matter
was adjourned to enable the learned counsel to address arguments on the
question.
390. Since there is a charge of conspiracy to murder Ahmad Raza. Kasuri Mr. D.
M. Awan argued that the said conspiracy culminated in the murder of Nawab
Muhammad Ahmad Khan and as such any evidence relating to the period after
the said murder was not relevant. He, however, conceded that if the charge had
related to the second part of section 120-B P.P.C. or if the challan had been of
conspiracy simplicitor the evidence would have been relevant. Mr. Ijaz Hussain
Batalvi drew our attention to charge No. 1, which relates to a conspiracy to
commit murder of a particular person, namely Ahmad Raza Kasuri and not only
to commit the murder of "a person". He argued that there was no culmination of
the conspiracy. He referred to Sections 5, 6 and 10 of the Evidence Act in support
of the arguments. In reply, Mr. D. M. Awan submitted that the charge was about
a conspiracy between the principal accused and Masood Mahmood P.W. 2, and
not between the principal accused and Abdul Hamid Bajwa.
391. It is clear from the record that the conspiracy to which charge No. 1, relates,
did not culminate with the death of Nawab Muhammad Ahmad Khan since it
was a conspiracy to murder Ahmad Raza Kasuri. Any event subsequent to the
murder in furtherance of the conspiracy would be relevant both under Section 6
as well as Section 10 of the Evidence Act. The facts sought to be proved are so
connected with the charge of conspiracy (fact in issue) as to form part of the same
transaction though the persons other than the actual conspirators may have
participated in it. Such persons might have acted on the directions and orders of
the actual conspirators. Moreover conspiracy may be proved by the surrounding
circumstances or by the antecedent or subsequent conduct of the accused. (Bhola
Nath and others v. Emperor AIR 1939 All. 567).
392. The prosecution case is that Ahmad Raza Kasuri had adopted certain
measures for his safety. The evidence of P.W. 28 related to a survey of those
measures obviously with the object of achieving the successful culmination of the
conspiracy. Such acts cannot be held to be isolated acts or acts unconnected with
the conspiracy.
393. Mr. D. M. Awan conceded that if the matter was covered by the second
part of Section 120-B.P.P.C. with which it is undoubtedly covered, the evidence
would not be irrelevant. This is sufficient answer to his objection.
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394. The learned Special Public Prosecutor wished to prove, on the 15th of
December, 1977, the diaries in which the departure and arrival of P.W. 31,
Ghulam Hussain, was recorded in the month of October, 1974. Mr. D. M. Awan
objected to this evidence on the ground that these diaries were not produced
with the challan and as such their copies could not be supplied to the defence.
Mr. M. A. Rahman, the learned Public Prosecutor, argued that this record was
summoned by the defence itself. Moreover, it was filed with an application for
necessary permission to prove it. In reply, Mr. D. M. Awan submitted that a
document summoned by the defence can be used by it for the purpose of cross-
examination of the witness but it cannot be availed of by the prosecution. When
he was asked to show the legal bar and to distinguish between evidentiary value
and admissibility of the document, he submitted that he had no objection to its
admissibility. 394-A After considering the arguments, particularly the provisions
of Sections 265-C and Section 265-F on which reliance was placed by Mr. D. M.
Aw an, we found that neither these sections nor any other law preclude the
production of additional evidence or the proof of the prosecution of documents
summoned by the defence. Such evidence can be allowed to be produced under
Section 540 Cr. P.C. It appears that for this reason Mr. Qurban Sadiq Ikram made
it clear that he had no objection to the admission of these documents in evidence.
395. The reliance on Sections 265-C and 265-F was misconceived. Section 265-F
is not at all relevant while Section 265-C provides only for providing to the
defence copies of certain documents a week prior to the commencement of the
trial. This section neither provides for a copy of the documents in question to be
supplied to the defence nor places any limitation on the powers conferred upon
the Court under Section 540 Cr. P.C. to allow additional evidence. The objection
was, therefore, over-ruled.
397. Some times a witness had to be allowed to make a statement about the
contents of the documents either for clarification of ambiguities, if any, or for
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proper appreciation of the oral evidence. On such occasions Mr. D. M. Awan
invariably objected to any reference to the contents of documents in view of the
provisions of Section 92 Evidence Act. This objection is without force since
Section 92 forbids evidence of oral agreement or statement for the purpose of
contradicting, varying, adding to or subtracting from the terms of the document.
This is subject to some provisos with which I am not concerned. There is,
however, no bar to the recording of contents of proved documents in the
statement of a witness. The Court can allow the contents of a proved document
to be brought on the record for the sake of convenience.
398. Moreover, section 92 of the Evidence Act deals with a specific category of
documents i.e. contract, grant or other disposition of property or any letter
required by law to be reduced to the form of a document. The rule embodied in
the Section cannot he applied to documents not included in this category. The
objection is not tenable in law.
399. An objection was taken to the proof of unsigned reports enclosed with a
signed covering letter. His objection cannot be sustained. There is evidence on
the record that many a documents e.g. secure reports were never signed. There is
no law making it obligatory for each document to be signed before it is admitted
in evidence. It is a different matter that the factum of a document being unsigned
may affect its reliability but it cannot affect its admissibility in evidence.
Moreover, the enclosures to signed documents were not produced to prove the
correctness of what was contained therein. They were produced to prove the
conduct or reaction of the witness or the accused. This objection is unsustainable.
401. An objection was also taken to a reference to a letter written by P.W. to the
Chief Martial Law Administrator in which the witness “made a clean breast of
the misdeeds of F.S.F. conducted” by him “under the orders of Mr. Zulfikar Ali
Bhutto”. Mr. D. M. Awan raised an objection that these are contents of a
document which cannot be proved except by the production of that document.
This objection could have force if the contents of the document had been material.
It is net the object of the prosecution to prove the correctness of this assertion.
Reference was made to the document to bring on record the circumstances which
led to the confession of the witness with regard to the murder of the deceased.
Attempt was made by Mr. D. M. Awan to prove a photostat copy but he was not
allowed to do in the absence of proof of any circumstance laid down in Section
65 of the Evidence Act prior to leading secondary evidence.
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402. The learned Public Prosecutor objected to the admission in evidence of a
photostat copy as Ex P.W. 3/16-D. The document was admitted in evidence
subject to this objection since it was stated at that time that the original was not
forthcoming. This objection must be upheld since no attempt was made by the
principal accused to probe the loss of the original nor did he summon the
original.
403. The fatal injuries received by Nawab Muhammad Ahmad Khan and his
death as a consequence thereof is established by the evidence of his son Ahmad
Raza Kasuri, P.W. 1, Dr. Muhammad Asif Chaudhry P.W. 6 and Dr. Sabir Ali
P.W. 7. This evidence is supported by the out-patient card Ex. P.W. 6/1, Entry
No. 24 (Ex. P.W. 6/2-A) at page 2 of the Emergency Room Register, Ex. P.W. 6/2,
X-Rays Ex. P.W. 6/5 and Ex. P.W. 6/4, X-ray Report Ex. P.W. 6/5, Death
Certificate Ex. P.W. 6/6, Medico Legal Report Ex. P.W. 6/7 and Postmortem
Examination Report Ex. P.W. 7/2. Nawab Muhammad Ahmad Khan was
brought to the emergency room at 12-30 A.M. on the 11th November, 1974, was
admitted there at 1-00 A.M. and expired at 2-55 A.M. the same day of bullet
injury to the brain. One bullet and two thin metallic pieces were recovered by
P.W. 7 during the postmortem examination. P.W. 7 recovered the bullet from the
right cerebral hemisphere in the middle and two thin metallic pieces from the
margin of the wound which were handed over to the police vide Memo Ex. P.W.
7/6. According to the both Medical Experts, the injuries which were the result of
the fire-arm were sufficient to cause death in the ordinary course of nature.
404. Some other witnesses, namely, Abdul Aziz P.W. 11, Asghar Khan P.W. 12,
Abdul Wakil Khan P.W. 14 and Abdul Hayee Niazi P.W. 34 have also, in their
depositions, referred to the injuries and death of Muhammad Ahmad Khan.
405. It is proved by the evidence of Ahmad Raza Kasuri P.W. 1, that while he,
accompanied by his parents and aunt, was returning from a wedding in his self-
driven car, after mid-night on the night between 10th and 11th of November,
1974, he was fired at by automatic weapons near Shadman-Shah Jamal Round
About, Lahore. As a result of this attack his father received fatal injuries. This
finds support from the evidence of Ghulam Hussain Approver P.W. 31 who
described the details of the time, place and the manner of that attack. It is proved
that the shots by sten-gun were fired by Arshad Iqbal and Rana Iftikhar Ahmad
accused both of whom have confessed their role in this attack in their statements
under Section 164 Cr. P.C. Ex. P.W. 10/3-1 and Ex. P.W. 10/2-1 as well as their
statements under Section 342 Cr. P.C. The evidence of Ghulam Hussain approver
in regard to the details about the time, place and the manner of attack is
corroborated fully by the evidence of P.W. 1, the bullet marks on the car (vide
photographs K. P.W. 36/1, Ex. P.W. 36/2, Ex. P.W. 36/3 and Fix. P.W. 36/4), the
recovery of broken pieces of glass and blood of Nawab Muhammad Ahmad
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Khan from it (vide Memo Ex. P.W. 1/6), the recovery by P.W. 34 of 24 empties
bearing No. 661171 which have been proved (vide Ex. P.W. 24/1, Ex. P.W. 24/3,
Ex. P.W. 24/5 as well as Ex. P.W. 39/1, Ex. P.W. 39/2 and Ex. P.W. 39/3) to have
been supplied by the Central Ammunition Depot, Havelian, to the Headquarters
of the Federal Security Force. The version about the place of occurrence given by
the aforementioned approver is also corroborated by the site plan Ex. P.W. 34/2.
407. It is further established by the evidence of Abdul Wakil Khan P.W. 14,
Saeed Ahmad Khan P.W. 3, and Fazal Ali P.W. 24, that the ammunition and
weapons of this calibre 7.62 mm were in the use and possession of the Federal
Security Force.
408. The supply of weapons (Chinese sten-guns of 7.62 mm bore used in this
attack) to Ghulam Mustafa accused is corroborated by the statement of Amir
Badshah Khan P.W. 20 who made the supply on the specific order of Mian
Muhammad Abbas accused. It is further corroborated by Muhammad Amir
Driver who took Ghulam Mustafa accused in his jeep to the office of Amir
Badshah P.W. 20 and saw him bringing something wrapped in a cloth which
appeared to be a weapon.
409. It is, therefore, proved that Nawab Muhammad Ahmad Khan died as a
result of the murderous attack by Arshad Iqbal and Rana Iftikhar Ahmad
accused made under the supervision of Ghulam Hussain P.W. 31 near the Shah
Jamal-Shadman Round About, Lahore on the night between the 10th and 11th of
November, 1974, with weapons of 7.62 mm bore obtained by Ghulam Mustafa
confessing accused from Amir Badshah Khan P.W. 20 for that purpose under
orders of Mian Muhammad Abbas accused.
410. Mian Muhammad Abbas has denied the presence of Ghulam Hussain at
Lahore during the period from 31st October, 1974, to the 12th of November, 1974.
His learned counsel relied upon the T.A. Bill of Ghulam Hussain Ex. P.W. 316 by
which the travelling allowance was claimed by him for his visit to Karachi
during this period as also for his visit to Peshawar from the 21st November, 1974
to the 28th November, 1974. Ghulam Hussain P.W. 31, in his evidence has
categorically stated that this document was fabricated under the orders of Mian
Muhammad Abbas accused and he neither visited Karachi not Peshawar during
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the period referred to in this document. Similarly, he deposed that the entries Ex.
P.W. 31/4 and Ex. P.W. 31/5 about his departure from Peshawar and return
from there on the dates mentioned in the T.A. Bill (Ex. P.W. 31/6) were also
fabricated. He referred to the entry Ex. P.W. 313 in the Roznamcha of Battalion No.
4 of the Federal Security Force. This entry proves departure of Iftikhar Ahmad
accused and P.W. 31 on 31.10.1976 for an undisclosed destination on special duty.
P.W. 31 explained that this destination was not disclosed since he had to perform
the secret mission of the murder of Ahmad Raza Kasuri at Lahore. He further
stated that he left Lahore on the morning of the 12th November, 1974, in the car
of the Director General (P.W. 2).
411. The statement that P.W. 31 travelled in the car of the Director General
from Lahore to Rawalpindi on the morning of the 12th of November, 1974, is
corroborated by the Driver of the car, namely, Manzoor Ahmad P.W. 21, who
had arrived from Multan a day before after the conclusion of the tour of P.W. 2.
He stated that Ghulam Hussain travelled with him to Rawalpindi where they
reached at about 2.00 P.M. on the 12th of November, 1974. The statement of
Ghulam Hussain about his presence at Lahore on the 10th November, 1974, finds
corroboration from the statement of Muhammad Amir P.W. 19 who had driven
him in a jeep LEJ-7084, when he (P.W. 31) reconnoitered the place where the car
of Ahmad Raza Kasuri was parked near the house where the marriage ceremony
was going on.
413. It appears that Mian Muhammad Abbas too is not serious about thin
objection since in his second written statement filed after the close of the defence
evidence, he referred to the Roznamcha of Muhammad Yousaf, Head Constable in
the Federal Security Force, brought by Abdul Khaliq D.W. 3 and the copies of
two entries dated 25.10.74 7.11.74 made in it in order to show that P.W. 31 had
obtained weapons directly from Muhammad Yousaf, Head Constable of F.S.F.,
Battalion No. 3 posted at Lahore inter alia on the 7th of November, 1974. The
entries have not been proved on record, but it is clear from this written statement
that on the one hand the plea of Mian Muhammad Abbas is that Ghulam
Hussain was not in Lahore from the 31st October, 1974, to the 12th November,
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1974 and on the other hand he pleads that he had obtained weapons at Lahore
from Muhammad Yousaf, Head Constable on the 7th of November, 1974. There
is no doubt left in my mind that Ghulam Hussain was not at Karachi during this
period but was at Lahore.
414. The statement of Ghulam Hussain that the entries Ex. P.W. 31/4 and Ex.
P.W. 31/5 in the Roznamcha about his visit to Peshawar and the T.A. Bill P.W.
31/6 were all fabricated is borne out and corroborated further by both the oral
and the documentary evidence. Ghulam Hussain stated that empties of 1500
cartridges received by him (vide road certificate Ex. P.W. 24/7) from Fazal Ali
P.W. 24, were returned by him to the same witness on the 25th November, 1974.
(vide road certificate Ex. P.W. 31/9). He also stated that he had gone to return the
empties in the Armory of F.S.F. Headquarters, Rawalpindi, three or four days
earlier but Fazal Ali P.W. 24 refused to receive them since they were short by 51
empties including 30 rounds fired at Lahore and 7 rounds fired at Islamabad. He
reported the matter to Mian Muhammad Abbas who asked him to return the
same three or four days later. On the next meeting after 3 or 4 days, Mian
Muhammad Abbas gave to him 51 empty cases of sten-gun ammunition. The
deficiency having thus been made good he returned all the 1500 empty cases to
Fazal Ali, P.W. 24 on the basis of road certificate Ex. P.W. 24/9 dated 25.11.1974.
Fazal Ali corroborated P.W. 31 about his visit to him two or three days prior to
25th November, 1974 with spent ammunition and empties which were found
short by 50 to 51 SMG empties, about his refusal to accept it and abut the return
of the entire spent ammunition in the morning of the 25th November, 1974. It is,
therefore, proved from this evidence which is supported by documentary
evidence Ex. P.W. 24/9 dated the 25th November, 1974, that Ghulam Hussain
P.W. 31, was at Rawalpindi on the above date when according to the record Ex.
P.W. 31/4, P.W. 31/5 and P.W. 31/6 he should have been at Peshawar. The oral
evidence proves that even two or three days prior to this date Ghulam Hussain
was at Rawalpindi. This evidence oral and documentary — establishes the
contention of Ghulam Hussain that the entries in the Roznamcha Ex. P.W. 31/4
and Ex. P.W. 31/5 were fabricated and so were the corresponding entries in the
T.A. Bill Ex. P.W. 31/6. The T.A. Bill Ex. P.W. 31/6 was fabricated with the active
connivance of Mian Muhammad Abbas who had signed this document
presumably i token of its correctness. The argument of the learned counsel for
Mian Muhammad Abbas based on these fabricated documents is, therefore,
without merit.
415. The murderous attack on Ahmad Raza Kasuri in Lahore which resulted in
the death of his father was preceded by an incident of firing at Islamabad which
is proved by Ahmad Raza Kasuri P.W. 1 and Ghulam Hussain approver P.W. 31,
who had supervised the firing. Under instructions from Ghulam Hussain,
Mulazim Hussain who was armed with a sten-gun had fired in the air whereas
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he was supposed to fire at Ahmad Raza Kasuri who was then driving his car at
an intersection while coming from the MNA Hostel and going towards his
residence at Islamabad. This statement is further corroborated by Nasir Nawaz,
S.H.O., Police Station. Islamabad P.W. 23, who recorded the statement of Ahmad
Raza Kasuri Ex. P.W. 23/1 and registered FIR No. 346 under Section 307 P.P.C.
on the basis of this statement on the 24th August, 1974. He also recovered five
empties from the spot vide copy of the recovery Memo lax. P.W. 23/3 prepared a
site-plan, copy of which is Ex. P.W. 23/2, and sent the empties in a sealed parcel
to the Inspectorate of Armament, General Headquarters. Rawalpindi, from
where he obtained report Ex. P.W. 23/4 which proved the above mentioned
empties to have been fired from Chinese weapons of 7.62 mm calibre.
416. P.W. 31 obtained the sten-gun used in the firing from Fazal Ali P.W. 24
under orders of .Mian Muhammad Abbas accused. This is fully corroborated by
Fazal Ali.
417. It is proved from Ex. P.W. 23/4 that the ammunition used in the
Islamabad incident was of 7.62 mm bore of Chinese weapon of the same calibre.
Ex. P.W. 23;3, the recovery memo of the empties, establishes that these empties
were engraved at their base with No. 66171. According to the evidence of Abdul
Hayee Niazi P.W. 34, the 24 empties recovered by him from the spot in the
Lahore incident were also engraved with similar numbers at their base. It is
further proved by his evidence which is corroborated by Abdul Ikram P.W. 18
and Nadir Hussain Abidi, Ballistic Expert P.W. 36, that the 24 empties and a
piece of metallic metal recovered by P.W. 34 were not sea led on the 11th
November, 1974.
Nadir Hussain Abidi P.W. 36 gave an opinion that they were not fired
from a G-3 riffle the calibre of which is also 7.62 mm. but he could not say what
type of automatic weapon was used without detailed inspection and study of the
relevant literature. It is clear from this evidence that the empties recovered by
P.W. 34 were of the cartridges fired from automatic weapons. It is further
implied in the statement particularly in his reference to G-3 rifle of 7.62 mm
calibre that he was convinced that the empties were of ammunition of the same
calibre.
418. The Ballistic Expert P.W. 36 found the empties unsealed in the morning of
11th November, 1974. There is evidence that they were not sealed till 23rd of
November, 1974.
419. P.W. 34 stated that Abdul Ahad, DSP of Circle Ichhra, Lahore took these
unsealed empties and lead bullet during the night of the 11th November, 1974, to
the residence of the Inspector General of Police on the latters instructions, in a
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service envelope. The same is the statement of Abdul Ikram P.W. 18, who
corroborates P.W. 34 in this point.
420. Abdul Hayee Niazi further stated that Abdul Ahad did not bring the
empties with him when he returned from the residence of the inspector General
of Police in the night of 11th November, 1974, and on his inquiry Abdul Ahad
informed him that they had been kept by the Inspector General of Police with
him and that he would return them later. P.W. 34 further stated that Abdul Ahad
left for Rawalpindi on the 13th November, 1974 and took the site plan Ex. P.W.
34/2 with him. He returned two or three days later and directed him to prepare
the recovery memo of the empty cartridges and the lead bullet from a draft
which he (Abdul Ahad) showed to him. The draft was taken away after the
witness had prepared the recovery memo Ex. P.W. 34/4. At that time P.W. 34
raised an objection before Abdul Ahad that the memo (Ex. P.W. 34/4) did not
make any mention of the lead bullet and that the number of 24 empty cartridges
given on this memo was also different, in so far as 22 empties bore number
B13/71 while 2 contained No. 31/71. He also asked Abdul Ahad to give back to
him the 24 empty cartridges but he put him off by promising to return them later.
On further questioning Abdul Ahad informed him that it was an order which
had to be complied with otherwise both of them would be in trouble. He also
stated that the entry P.W. 16/1-1 about the recovery memo Ex. P.W. 34/4 which
purports to be dated 11th November, 1974 was made in Register No. 19 (Ex. P.W.
16/1) on the 17th November, 1977, after the return of Muhammad Bashir, A.S.I.,
Moharrir Malkhana P.W. 16 from leave. He directed P.W. 16 that entry should be
made in the handwriting of Abdul Ikram, Head Constable. On inquiry from
Muhammad Bashir P.W. 16 about the parcel of the empty cartridges, which was
not in the Malkhana, he promised that it would be given to him later. Abdul
Ahad gave the 24 empty cartridges on the 23rd November, 1974, on which date
they were sent to the Inspectorate of Armament.
421. This evidence finds support from the statement of Muhammad Bashir P.W.
16 who gave the same circumstances leading to the entry Ex. P.W. 16/1-1 in
register No. 19. This was corroborated by Abdul Ikram P.W. 18. Muhammad
Bashir P.W. 16 corroborated P.W. 34 that Muhammad Sarwar ASI received the
parcel of empties directly from P.W. 34. It is clear from his statement that
Muhammad Sarwar asked Abdul Ikram, P.W. 18 to issue a road certificate for
taking the parcel containing the empties to Rawalpindi. The fact that Abdul
Hayee Niazi had given the parcel of empties directly to Muhammad Sarwar P.W.
17 on the 23rd November, 1974, is further corroborated by the latter’s own
evidence as well as the evidence of Abdul Ikram P.W. 18.
422. The parcels containing the blood and lead bullets with two metallic pieces
were however with Muhammad Bashir P.W. 16. Their entry was also made on
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the 17th November, 1974 in the portion encircled as Ex. P.W. 16/1-1. P.W. 16
gave this parcel to Abdul Ikram on the 24th December, 1974, for issuing the road
certificate. The parcel containing the lead bullet and 2 metallic pieces was taken
by P.W. 17, who took it to the Inspectorate of Armament on the 24th of December,
1974, on the basis of a road certificate entered in P.W. 16;1-2.
423. The fact that the empties remained unsealed is also corroborated by the
evidence of Abdul Wakil Khan P.W. 14 who stated that he gave incorrect
information to Abdul Harnid Bajwa about the sealing of the empties in order to
avoid any suggestion from him to tamper with them in order to exonerate the
Federal Security Force. He later enquired from Abdul Ahad D.S.P. if any result
had been received from the Ballistic Expert to whom the empties were sent but
he was surprised to hear from him that the empties had been taken away by
Abdul Hamid Bajwa on the ground that the empties were required to be taken to
the Prime Minister’s House to be shown to the high officers and returned after
two or three days.
424. From this evidence it is clearly established that the crime empties were not
sealed up to the 23rd November, 1974, nor their recovery memo was prepared at
the time of the recovery nor were they ever deposited in the Malkhana. It is
further clear that the crime empties which were engraved clearly with No.
661/71 were changed with 22 empties on which the number could be read as
BB171 and on the rest two the number was 31/71. It is true that Nadir Hussain
Abidi P.W. 38 had read the number on the 22 empties as 66/71 but the change of
the empties is established by the fact that while Abdul Hayee Niazi P.W. 34 had
read this number on the bases of the crime empties as 66/71, the number of the
empties as given in the recovery memo Ex. P.W. 34/4 is BB1/71 which implies
that the person who prepared the draft of the recovery of empties read the
number as such. The number on the bases of the present empties is not, therefore,
easily readable. This finds support from the evidence of P.W. 36. He stated that
what is inscribed on the bases of 22 empties is No. 661/71 but this number can be
read as BB1/71 by a person who has weak eyesight and who does not examine
them closely. Then two of the empties bear an absolutely different number 31/71
which itself is a proof of the substitution of the crime empties by the empties P. 8
to P. 31.
425. Mian Qurban Sadiq Ikram criticized the statement of P.W. 34 on the
ground that the statement made by him now was not made before the Tribunal.
This argument overlooks the explanation given by the witness about the
circumstances in which he made the statement before the Tribunal. There is no
reason to disbelieve Abdul Hayee Niazi or any of the above mentioned witnesses
since they have no animus against the accused nor any reason to favour the
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prosecution. The evidence of Abdul Hayee Niazi is corroborated almost on each
point either by one or several witnesses from amongst P.W.s 14, 16, 17, 18 and 36.
426. P.W. 36 very clearly stated that at the time of his examination of the
empties in the police station on the 11th November, 1974, he found them
unsealed. The same statement appears to have been made by him before the
Tribunal and it is for this reason that Abdul Hayee Niazi P.W. 34 was confronted
there with this statement of P.W. 36. This is clear from the following question put
by the defence counsel and the answer given by P.W. 34:-
Q. I put it to you that in this Court you stated that under the
direction of the DSP empty cartridges were shown to Mr. Abidi at the
police station while you stated before Mr. Justice Shafi-ur-Rahman on
25 .12 .1974 that it is also incorrect in the statement of the Director that
the empties were shown to him there and they had not been sealed at the
spot?
A. I made a statement to that effect but it had been made under some
compulsion.
This question and answer proves that P.W. 36 had made a similar statement
before the Tribunal and that this was the correct statement.
427. Faced with this situation Mian Qurban Sadiq Ikram argued that it is quite
possible that the empties might have been sealed the same day. This argument is
just conjectural and ignores the evidence of P.W.s 14, 16, 17 and 18. In view of the
considerable corroboration there appears to be no reason to doubt the correctness
of the statement of Abdul Hayee Niazi P.W. 34.
428. It is established by the evidence of Fazal Ali P.W. 24 and the documents
Ex. P.W. 34/1 read with Ex. P.W. 39/2 and Ex. P.W. 24/3 and Ex. P.W. 24/5
(which are the same as Ex. P.W. 38/3 and Ex. P.W. 38/2 respectively), that the
cartridges of SMG/LMG of 7.62 mm calibre bearing number 66/71 and
cartridges of rifle bearing No. 31/71 were supplied by the Central Ammunition
Depot, Havelian to the Head-quarters of the Federal Security Force.
429. This evidence corroborates the statement of Ghulam Hussain P.W .31 that
the 24 empties recovered by P.W. 34 in the Lahore incident and the 5 empties
recovered by P.W. 23 in the Islamabad incident vide Memo No. P.W. 23/3 were
part of the 1500 rounds issued by Fazal Ali P.W. 24 to Ghulam Hussain (P.W. 31)
by Road Certificate Ex. P.W. 24/7. It does not require much imagination to safely
conclude that the 22 empties bearing No. 66/71 and 2 bearing No. 31/71 which
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have now been proved as Exhibits P. 8 to P. 31 also come from the consignment
sent by C.A.D. Havelian to the Headquarters, F.S.F.
430. It is in the evidence of Fazal Ali P.W. 24 that the empties of the used
cartridges are kept in the armory and after 40 to 50 boxes of the empties are
collected there, they are sent to the Wah Factory. He stated that 8 to 10 days
before Ghulam Hussain deposited 1500 fired rounds (this approximately comes
to 15th of November, 974) Mian Muhammad Abbas accused enquired from him
if he had fired cartridges in the armory. On his answer being in the affirmative,
Mian Muhammad Abbas accused asked him to bring 25-30 freed cartridges of
SMGLMG. He re-turned to the armory and took 30 such empties to the said
accused who ordered him to place them on the table saying that he would let
him know when he was required to collect them. The accused sent for him again
after 2-12 hours and directed him to take away the empties which on physical
checking were sound to be correct.
431. This evidence accords with the statement of Abdul Ahad, D.S.P. made to
Abdul Wakil Khan P.W. 14 about the taking away of empties by Abdul Hamid
Bajwa and their return two or three days later. This evidence, the circumstance of
letting the crime empties remain unsealed and finally the statement of Abdul
Hayee Niazi P.W. 34 about the difference in the number engraved on the bases of
empties recovered by him and the number of the empties recorded on the
belatedly prepared recovery memo Ex. P.W. 34/4 prove beyond a shadow of
doubt that the crime empties recovered from the spot were substituted with
empties Ex. P. 8 to P. 31 and this substitution was effected by Mian Muhammad
Abbas accused.
132. It has already been seen that Amir Badshah Khan P.W. 20 supplied the sten-
guns which were used in the Lahore incident under the direction of Mian
Muhammad Abbas only on a chit which was given back to Ghulam Mustafa
accused on the return of the weapons. Similarly Fazal Ali gave to Ghulam
Hussain the sten-guns used in the Islamabad incident on the direction of and
threat from Mian Muhammad Abbas, on a chit which was given back to Ghulam
Hussain on the return of the weapons. P.W. 20 and P.W. 24 both were directed
by Mian Muhammad Abbas not to make entries of the issue of these weapons in
their registers. Thus both these witnesses corroborate the evidence of Ghulam
Hussain P.W. 31 in material particulars regarding the supply of arms for
launching an attack on Ahmad Raza Kasuri under the specific orders of Mian
Muhammad Abbas.
433. Mian Qurban Sadiq Ikram argued that P.W. 20 has made the statement on
account of his enmity with Mian Muhammad Abbas. He referred in support of
the argument to inquiry report Ex. P.W. 201 and the admission by this witness
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that he had filed Service Writ Petition. He further argued that the statement of
P.W. 24 regarding the delivery of arms to Ghulam Hussain P.W. 31 and the
involvement of Mian Muhammad Abbas is an improvement on the statement
made by him under Section 161 Cr. P.C. (Ex. P.W. 30/9-D) and should not be
given any credence.
434. Mr. Ijaz Hussain Batalvi, learned Special Public Prosecutor on the other
hand argued that the report is really against Abdul Hamid, Deputy Director in
which Amir Badshah Khan P.W. 20 appeared as a witness only. He referred to
the statement of P.W. 20, who said that he was never given a copy of the report
Ex. P.W. 3011) nor was he served with a charge-sheet, rather he had tendered his
resignation arid had obtained his discharge in 1975 on account of ill health. P.W.
20 admitted that he had filed a writ petition but he explained that it was filed on
a claim of the salary for the post of Deputy Director since he had been paid his
salary only for the post of Assistant Director.
435. It appears from Ex. P.W. 20/1-D that Mian Muhammad Abbas had visited
Mandi Bahauddin under a directive of the Director General (P.W. 2) that the
“atmosphere prevailing in Mandi Bahauddin Camp warrants pulling out the
Deputy Director in charge of Battalion No. 3 and the Acting Deputy Director
Battalion No. 15”. The report showed that at the end a recommendation was
made against Amir Badshah Khan also. There is, however, no evidence that any
action was taken on the basis of this report or it had ever come to the knowledge
of P.W. 20. Amir Badshah Khan P.W. 20 stated in his cross-examination that he
retired from the service on the 16th October, 1975. He denied that he was
removed from the job by Mian Muhammad Abbas or that in his place Zulfiqar
was appointed or that Mian Muhammad Abbas made any observation against
him. He stated that he had resigned from the job and presented his resignation to
M. M. Hassan, Additional Director General. Despite this line of cross-
examination, Mian Qurban Sadiq Ikram’s only suggestion to P.W. 20 was that he
had made the statement against the accused because he was threatened by the
F.I.A. that he would be involved in this case as an accused person. P.W. 20, no
doubt, denied this. A similar suggestion was put by Mr. D. M. Awan in his cross-
examination that the witness had made a false statement because of the fear of
Martial Law. But he replied that he was afraid only of God and had never been to
the Martial Law Authorities.
436. A question was also put to P.W. 2 that Amir Badshah Khan had to quit the
force on the report of Mian Muhammad Abbas accused but his answer was that
his services were terminated since the Officer had outlived his utility.
437. It was suggested to P.W. 20 that the writ petition was filed since he was
only an Assistant Director but he had started writing his designation as Acting
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Deputy Director to which Mian Muhammad Abbas had taken an objection. He
denied this allegation and stated that he had filed a writ petition since ha was not
being paid the salary of the Deputy Director.
438. The suggestion that Mian Muhammad Abbas objected to the writing by
the witness of his designation as Acting Deputy Director is proved incorrect by
Ex. P.W. 20/1-D in which he is referred to by the same designation. There is no
evidence that the witness ever had any notice or knowledge of this report or any
action was taken against him on its basis. On the other hand he is proved to have
resigned his job.
439. There is, therefore, no justification for holding that the relations between
Mian Muhammad Abbas and Amir Badshah Khan P.W. 20 were ever strained
and that he had any motive to involve him in this case. He appeared to be a
truthful witness whose testimony is corroborated to a certain extent by the
statement of Muhammad Amir Driver P.W. 19 and finds further support in the
confessional statement of Ghulam Mustafa accused.
440. As regards Fazal Ali, P.W. 24, the learned Special Public Prosecutor
referred to the statement of Muhammad Boota P.W. 39 that he recorded two
statements of P.W. 24 under Section 307 in regard to the Islamabad incident. He
also made reference to the persistence with which P.W. 24 repeated that he had
stated in his police statement what he had stated in Court. He therefore, argued
that the other statement recorded by Muhammad Boota P.W. 39 about the
occurrence at Islamabad definitely contained what has been said in the statement
in Court.
441. It is true that the statement made in Court regarding the directions of
Mian Muhammad Abbas to give the required weapons to Ghulam Hussain P.W.
1 on a chit without recording the same in his register and the threats given by
him in this connection do not find any mention in the statement under Section
161 Cr. P.C., Ex. P.W. 39/9-D); but P.W. 24 positively stated that he had given all
the details of facts to the Investigating Officer though he had not read his
statement nor had he signed it. In answer to a question that he had made
improvement upon his statement under Section 131 Cr. P.C. to bring the present
statement in line with the prosecution version and that he had done this
dishonestly, he stated that he had already taken an oath before he started making
a statement and had stated what had really happened. The statement of
Muhammad Boota P.W. 39 is clearly explanatory of the omissions in Ex. P.W.
39/9-D which were put to P.W. 24. While proving the statement Ex. P.W. 39/9-D
he stated that so far as Fazal Ali’s stand is concerned, I would like to point out
that his statement was also recorded in a case under Section 307 P.P.C. which
was being investigated contemporaneously with the present case and a few
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things deposed by him which are incorporated in his statement in the other case
were not reduced to writing in the present case ............307 P.P.C. case related to
the attack on Ahmad Raza Kasuri at Islamabad”.
442. This statement explains the above omissions. According to the evidence of
P.W. 24 and the Approver P.W. 31, the weapons were taken from P.W. 24 for
being used in the Islamabad incident. It is, therefore, clear that the portion of the
statement of Fazal Ali put to him as an omission was relevant for the case
registered under Section 307 P.P.C. as a consequence of murderous attack on
Ahmad Raza Kasuri at Islamabad. The witness should have been confronted
with that statement in order to prove so omission or improvement. There is,
therefore, no reason to disbelieve the evidence of Fazal Ali.
443. Reference may also be made to the statement of Mian Muhammad Abbas
that Ghulam Hussain as in direct contact with Masood Mahmood P.W. 2 and
that he had been rewarded by him and also promoted as Inspector. This
statement was made clearly to exonerate himself from the criminal liability and
further to show that Ghulam Hussain was in direct contact with Masood
Mahmood who must have directly assigned to him the task of murdering
Ahmad Raza Kasuri. The learned counsel for Mian Muhammad Abbas placed
great reliance for this proposition upon the statement made by Ashiq
Muhammad Lodhi P.W.
444. The evidence on the record does not justify this conclusion. It appears
clear from the statement of Ghulam Hussain P.W. 31, Amir Badshah Khan P.W.
20, Fazal Ali P.W. 24 that Mian Muhammad Abbas was supervising the
operation against Ahmad Raza Kasuri and these witnesses were directly in
contact with him. It is further clear from the evidence of Masood Mahmood that
he did not even know Ghulam Hussain P.W. 31. Ghulam Hussain also stated
clearly that he had appeared before Masood Mahmood along with other
candidates on the 20th August, 1974 only at the time of his interview for
promotion to the post of Inspector.
445. A suggestion was put to P.W. 2 that Ghulam Hussain was one of his
favorite officers but he denied the suggestion. A question was put to him that
under his orders the Deputy Director had awarded to Ghulam Hussain a first
class certificate and Rs. 500/- as cash prize for efficient performance of his duties
in the National Assembly. P.W. 2, however, stated that as a Director-General he
had to act on the notes put up before him but he did not have to see or know the
person to whom the award or certificate was given nor did he remember
whether any such award was given on 5.6.1974. On the other hand, Ex. D.W. 44
proves that Ghulam Hussain was promoted as Sub Inspector on 15.1.1974 by
Mian Muhammad Abbas and was also given by him an award and of Rs 75/-
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with Commendation Certificate for running a Commando Course with great
pain and efficiency (Vide order Ex. D.W. 4/5). In this state of evidence it is not
possible to hold that Ghulam Hussain obtained orders directly about the mission
to kill Ahmad Raza Kasuri from P.W. 2.
447. The learned Special Public Prosecutor argued that this witness had made
some uncalled for concessions which the Court can disbelieve. He cited Bagu v.
The State (PLD) 1972 S.C. 77) and Sikandar Shah v. The State (PLD 1965
Peshawar 134). In Sikandar Shah v. The State (Supra) it was held that:-
“It is well settled that when such like formal witnesses make certain
concessions in tour of the accused in their cross-examination, their
statements cannot be considered to be of my credence, no matter, if
they had been produced by the prosecution.”
448. I agree with the argument of the learned Special Public Prosecutor that the
concessions made by P.W. 28 fall under this category. He was produced to prove
only his report Ex. P.W. 28/1. By admitting that Mian Muhammad Abbas
accused had opposed his promotion he plainly attempted to prove that he had
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no reason for having any soft corner for hi: a. He thus laid the foundation for his
concessions to be taken as true and then agreed with the suggestion of the
learned counsel for Mian Muhammad Abbas that Ghulam Hussain was sent for
by P.W. 2 through him once or twice in the end of July, 1974, and that he
remained closetted with him in his room while the red light was glowing on the
door.
449. Ghulam Hussain, as stated above, admitted having an interview with P.W.
2 on the 20th July, 1974. Mian Qurban Sadiq Ikram also argued that obviously
Ghulam Hussain was sent for through Ashiq Muhammad Lodhi P.W. 28 and
remained closetted with P.W. 2 on this very date. But it is clearly established in
the evidence of P.W. 31 that was the date on which he was promoted as Inspector.
He stated that other candidates were also interviewed along with him. If the
interview was for the purpose of promoting him, it is not conceivable that he
would be sent for through P.W. 28. No suggestion was made to Masood
Mahmud about the exclusive interview or about the glowing of the red light on
the door during the interview nor was Ghulam Hussain cross-examined about
having been called for the interview through P.W. 28. It was suggested to him
that he was summoned for interview through a letter but he stated that he had
appeared in response to a wireless message by Mian Muhammad Abbas. I
cannot prefer the evidence of P.W. 28 over the natural statement of P.W. 31.
450. Even otherwise this evidence is not sufficient to impeach the credit of
Ghulam Hussain in regard to his evidence about the role played by Mian
Muhammad Abbas which in its material particulars has been corroborated by the
independent witnesses like P.W. 20 and P.W. 24.
451. It is clear from the record that Mian Muhammad Abbas who instigated
and goaded Ghulam Hussain to kill Ahmad Raza Kasuri and helped him in
obtaining the arms both for the attack in Islamabad as well as in Lahore had no
motive of his own to commit the offence. P.W. 31 and the three confessing
accused either had no such motive. The evidence establishes that this motive was
on the part of the principal accused.
453. It is established from the evidence that relations between Ahmad Raza
Kasuri P.W. 1 and the principal accused though cordial before 1970, became
strained from the beginning of 1971 on account of acute difference of views on
political matters and the former’s opinion about the latter being power hungry
and ambitious. In fact Ahmad Raza Kasuri held the view that the ambition of the
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principal accused was to attain power even if the country was broken and its
East Wing was lost to it. In his statement he made a pointed reference to the
failure of the principal accused to secure an agreement with Sh. Mujib-ur-
Rehman on the point of sharing power and the threats given by him that his
party would not participate in the National Assembly meeting at Dacca
scheduled to be held in March 1971, that the legs of any person going to Dacca
would be broken and that such a person would be going on a single fare. He
referred to a demand made by the said accused at a public meeting held at
Nishtar Park, Karachi for separate transfer of power in each Wing of Pakistan to
the majority party of that Wing by saying “Idhar ham lidhar Turn”.
It is proved by this evidence that Ahmad Raza Kasuri became a strong and
virulent critic of the principal accused and offered provocation to him day in and
day out. This is corroborated by documentary evidence.
454. Ex. P.W. 19, is the official report of the debates, held in the National
Assembly on the draft of the Constitution of 1973. It reproduces the speech made
on that occasion by Ahmad Raza Kasuri P.W. 1 as a Member of the Opposition.
He deplored that the Parliament of half of Pakistan was meeting in the absence of
167 members from East Pakistan. He queried why the Members from East
Pakistan were not present and then furnished the answer that they were not
present here because the leader of the minority party had decided to overthrow
the majority party. He used such epithets about the principal accused as a leader
obsessed with power, a leader who “destroyed this country for the sake of
power”. He said that “it was that leader who on the 14th February, 1971, in
Peshawar said that the PPP would not be attending the forthcoming sessions of
the National Assembly” because they would be treated as “double hostages”. He
continued that “again, the same leader on the 28th of February, 1971, in Lahore
said that whosoever would go to Dacca, his ‘legs would be broken’ and
whosoever would be going to Dacca, he would be going on a ‘single fare’.”
455. He also referred to the speech of 14th March, 1971, made in Karachi in
which the principal accused is said to have uttered the formula “Idhar Ham Udhar
Turn” and thus demanded separate transfer of power in West Pakistan, when he
failed to secure an agreement with Sh. Mujib-ur-Rehman, on the point of sharing
power, and said:
“It was not my fault if the majority party leader was not prepared to share
power. It was not the fault of the people of Punjab if the majority party
leader was not prepared to share power. It was not the fault of the toiling
teeming millions of Pakistan if the majority leader was not prepared to
share power, but then why my country suffered, why my country was
made to face the humiliation? It was done by no other man except one who
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was obsessed with power, and the history will catch that man, history will
bring him to the bar of public opinion and that man will have to answer.
He will not go scot free.”
456. He also criticized the concept of equating the stability of the country with
a strong centre and defined “strong centre” as meaning “self-centre”. He referred
to Machiavelli and how Hitler became a dictator through a “terrorized
Parliament” and compared the conditions of the country to the conditions in
Hitler’s Germany. He said that witch-hunting was going on in Pakistan similar to
the witch-hunting which took place after the burning of the German Parliament
of which victims were Ch. Zahur Elahi and Maulana Tufail Muhammad who had
already been detained. He warned that anybody who wants to follow Hitler,
must read the Rise and the Fall of the Third Reich because the fall was terrible.
He referred to the detention of General Agha Muhammad Yahya Khan, who had
been declared as a usurper in Asma Jilani’s case and said is it a house arrest or is
it a protection to the traitor from the people of Pakistan? He criticized the
elimination of the word “East Pakistan” from the definition of Pakistan. This,
according to him, was an indirect way to try to give recognition to Bangla Desh.
Referring to the coining of the phrase ‘New Pakistan’ he said
This speech continued on the 20th February 1973 as is clear from the official
report of the debates of the National Assembly Ex. P.W. 1/8. While dealing with
the fundamental rights guaranteeing protection and privacy of home, he stated
that:-
“……. our telephones are being taped. Our talk is being checked. We are
being chased by the C.I.D. agencies, and in this particular Assembly you
will find in the lobbies and in the Cafeteria less visitors, more C.I.D.
people. Now is this right of privacy being given to us. There are particular
gadgets which are being fixed on our telephones through which, even if the
telephone is just lying, they can hear our talks in their cozy intelligence
headquarters.”
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He said that the regime was talking of Roti, Kapra and Makan and although the
Country’s economy is virtually “in shambles and the country is dying of poverty,
Jashans were being held in Larkana and Bahawalpur. After citing Lord Acton
“that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely” he stated “if a
dishonest man becomes a Prime Minister in this country, surely under these
powers he can ruin the country and can become virtually the ‘civilian dictator’.
He hit mercilessly at the provisions in the draft Constitution for vote of no
confidence on the Prime Minister by 2/3rd majority and said:
At another place he said that the principal accused had become the strongest
Dictator in the world and will be so powerful that he will not go out of the House
as a living person. He opposed the provision about giving commission in the
Armed Forces of Pakistan in the name of the Prime Minister (and not in the name
of the Head of the State). He said that this was being done to make it the Army of
the Prime Minister. Regarding Chief Election Commissioner he said that he
should be appointed on the recommendation of the Chief Justice of Pakistan
because in this Country there had been the traditions of rigged elections.
457. Ex. P.W. 110 contains the speech of Ahmed Raza Kasuri P.W. 1 on the draft
bill of the F.S.F. He stated that:-
“For instance, if I spell out, one of the charges of duty of this special force
is to quell disturbances. Sir, to check the smuggling, to stop the highway
robbery. But, Sir, the people of Pakistan feel that the charter of duty which
is assigned to them by the special law is to disturb the public meetings, to
commit the political murders, to plant bombs into the places of the political
leaders, to fire at their houses, to abduct their children. These are the
duties which have been assigned to this force. This force has been
established to create terror in the minds of the opponents of the regime.
This force has been created to check the process of democracy in Pakistan.
This process has been created to dislodge the opponents of the
Government.”
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458. That such speeches had immediate reaction is proved by Ex.P.W. 22/2, on
official report of the Assembly dated 26th May, 1973 which contains the Privilege
Motion moved by P.W.1 in regard to a telephonic call received by him on the 7th
March, 1973 from Iftikhar Ahmad Tari, Minister of Works and Communications,
Government of the Punjab, in which he used threatening language that he would
be meeting the same fate as that of late Ch. Mohammad Rafique, if he did not
stop criticizing their regime and its policies forthwith. The witness recounted in
this Privilege Motion, the history of at least 9 earlier attacks made upon him by
the PPP workers from 2nd May, 1971 to the 20th December, 1972. The document
also proves that this Privilege Motion was ruled out of order with the
observation by the Speaker that the purpose of the mover (P.W. 1) was served by
the Motion being placed on the record.
459. The episode of the 3rd June, 1971, deposed to by Ahmad Raza Kasuri, is
corroborated by the official reports of the National Assembly dated the 3rd June,
1974. It proves that on the pointing out of P.W. 1 that nine persons had not
signed the Constitution, the principal accused said:
“You keep quiet. I have had enough of you; absolute poison. I will not tolerate
your nuisance.”
Then followed an exchange of hot words, the principal accused once again said:
460. A Privilege Motion (Ex.P.W. 22/3) was moved by P.W. 1, on the 4th June,
1974, in order to bring forth the reaction of this altercation with the principal
accused. He stated in the Motion that he had been receiving threatening calls of
dire consequences on this altercation and some goondas had also visited the
Government Hostel and tried to find out his whereabouts. This, according to the
Privilege Motion, was a gross breach of Privilege of Freedom of Expression of
Members of the elected bodies.
461. It appears clear from the Official Report of the Debates of National
Assembly dated the 4th June 1974, that this Privilege Motion was to be taken at
No. 2 in the Agenda regarding Privilege Motions. The Speaker, however,
announced in the presence and despite the protest of P.W. 1, that it would be
taken up later on. It was taken last on that date and was ordered to be filed on
account of his absence.
462. It is proved by the evidence of P.W. 3 that a file in respect of Ahmad Raza
Kasuri was opened by him in the month of December, 1973 under the orders of
the principal accused since he had become very bitter and critical and, in fact,
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virulent against the said accused. Orders were, therefore, issued that he should
be kept under strict surveillance. As a result of this directive, his telephone was
taped by the Intelligence Bureau and his movements were checked by the
Provincial Special Branches.
463. This evidence of P.W. 3 finds corroboration from Ex. P.W. 3/1-A, with
which was enclosed a secure report about a telephone talk of P.W. 1 with a lady
and the note Ex. P.W. 3/1-A given by the principal accused on it on the 13th
December, 1973. This note reads as follows:
“This is very interesting but who is the ‘lady’. Surely, if we were efficient, we
would know by now. What is the use of half-baked information coming to us with
the taping of telephone which requires no effort? It is effort we want.”
Similar are the secure reports about the taping of telephone Exs. P.W. 3/1-B, P.W.
3/1-C and P.W. 3 /1-D. Ex.P.W. 3/1-C bears a remark by the principal accused
(Ex. P.W. 3/1-C/1)
Similarly, Ex. P.W. 3/1-D bears the signature of the principal accused (Ex. P.W.
3/1-D/1) in token of his having seen it.
464. This evidence, oral as well as documentary, proves the parliamentary but
strong attacks by Ahmad Raza Kasuri, P.W.1 on the principal accused and his
reaction as well as the reaction of his followers. It appears from the statement of
Masood Mahmud that orders had already been passed by the principal accused
and communicated by him to Mian Muhammad Abbas through Haq Nawaz
Tiwana. After the altercation in the Nation Assembly on the 3rd of June, 1974, he
made Masood Mahmud (P.W. 2) responsible for execution of the order already
given to Mian Muhammad Abbas and to direct the latter to produce the dead
body of Ahmad Raza Kasuri or his body bandaged all over. The motive to kill
Ahmad Raza Kasuri is proved to be on the part of the principal accused.
465. Mian Qurban Sadiq Ikram argued that in order to prove the motive it was
necessary for the prosecution to establish by evidence the truthfulness of the
allegation leveled by P.W. 1 against the principal accused in his speeches before
the National Assembly as well as in his statement in Court. He particularly
referred to the two speeches made in the month of February and March 1971 and
on statement given in February of the same year from which Ahmad Raza Kasuri
concluded that the principal accused was power-hungry and was after securing
power even at the cost of dismemberment of Pakistan.
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466. I do not agree with this argument. The proof of the allegations is not
relevant to this case. What is relevant is the virulence and poignancy of the
criticism of Ahmad Raza Kasuri. If the allegations are incorrect they would give
much more provocation to the accused than would accrue to him if they be
correct. Even if they were correct, the principal accused would not have liked
this chapter of his politics to be revealed to the public at large and to be called a
person responsible for the dismemberment of the country. The argument is thus
repelled.
467. According to P.W. 2 he protested against this order but the principal
accused said that he would have no nonsense from him or from Mian
Muhammad Abbas and said to him:
The witness further continued that he repeated the orders of the principal
accused to Mian Muhammad Abbas accused who was the least disturbed and he
asked him not to worry about it. The said accused promised that the orders of the
Prime Minister would be duly executed because he had already been reminded
of this operation by his predecessor more than once.
468. This statement is corroborated by Saeed Ahmad Khan P.W. 3, who stated
that in the middle of 1974, in one of his usual interviews with the principal
accused, after all subjects had been discussed, he (the said accused) abruptly
asked him whether he knew Ahmad Raza. He replied that he did not how him
personally. On this the principal accused said that he had given some assignment
to Masood Mahmud P.W. 2 about Ahmad Raza Kasuri and asked him to remind
him. On his return to his office he (P.W. 3) passed the message to P.W. 2 on the
green telephone in the same words. P.W. 2 said in answer “alright”. This
evidence of P.W. 3 also corroborates the evidence of P.W. 2 that the principal
accused kept on reminding and goading him through Saeed Ahmad Khan (P.W.
3) and Bajwa for the execution of the order.
470. Mian Qurban Sadiq Ikram argued that this evidence falls short of the
proof of agreement as envisaged in the definition of “conspiracy” in Section 120-
A P.P.C. He argued that the emphasis in this definition is on an agreement, but
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the same is not proved in this case. He relied upon paragraphs Nos. 58 and 60,
Volume 11, of the Haisbury’s Laws of Eng-land, (Fourth Edition.).
473. Conspiracy is an offence in which actus reus (guilty act) is complete the
moment there is an agreement. It is not essential that the agreement should have
been reached in one or several sittings or that an express agreement should be
proved. The agreement can be implied by subsequent conduct, by acts done, by
anything said and or written by any one of such persons. In Punjab Singh Ujagar
Singh v. Emperor (AIR 1933 Lahore 977) it was held that though the essence of
the offence of criminal conspiracy is agreement between two or more persons to
commit an offence or do any of the acts mentioned in Section 162, 120-A in the
matters described therein, the finding of criminality in such cases is a matter of
inference deduced from the acts of persons done in pursuance of an apparent
criminal purpose in common between them. Same is the ratio decidendi in
Benoyendra Chandra Pandey v. Emperor (AIR 1936 Cal. 73), Golake Behan Takol
and others v. Emperor (AIR 1938 Cal. 51) and Keshabdeo Bagat v. Emperor (AIR
1945 Cal. 93).
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474. It was held in Amir-ud-Din v. State (PLD 1967 Lahore 1190) that an
agreement as referred to in section 120-A, P.P.C. is to be inferred from the facts
and circumstances of each case. The offence of conspiracy by its very nature is
secretive and surreptitious, and if a rule of evidence is laid down to the effect
that an agreement, as referred to in Section 120-A P.P.C. is to be positively
proved, the proof of conspiracy would become impossible. It is very seldom that
there is direct evidence available with regard to conspiracy. It is a matter of
inference from the sequence of circumstances and if an inference from
circumstances can legitimately be drawn that privity between the persons
concerned existed to commit an offence or to achieve an object by unlawful
means, the offence of conspiracy will be said to have been proved.
475. The principle relied upon by Mian Qurban Sadiq Ikram does not at all
help the principal accused or Mian Muhammad Abbas. The protest made by P.W.
2 in regard to the execution of the illegal order is immaterial in the face of the
evidence that P.W. 2 communicated the order to Mian Muhammad Abbas. He
also indicated his assent to P.W. 3 on his communicating to him the pressing
demand of the principal accused for the execution of the offence. There is
considerable evidence of subsequent facts which proves that Masood Mahmud
was a party to the completion of the agreement to commit the illegal act. The
argument is without force.
476. The conspiracy in the present case became complete as soon as Masood
Mahmud P.W. 2 agreed to and did convey the unlawful order of the principal
accused to Mian Muhammad Abbas. The next significant development of this
conspiracy was the order of the principal accused to P.W. 2 to take care of
Ahmad Raza Kasuri P.W. 1 on his visit to Quetta. P.W. 2 gave directions to M. R.
Welch P.W. 4 to get rid of Ahmad Raza Kasuri P.W. 1. This part of the statement
of P.W 2 is not only corroborated by M. R. Welch P.W. 4 in his testimony before
the Court but it finds further corroboration from the documentary evidence on
the record.
477. On the 14th September, 1974, P.W. 4 submitted a secure report Ex. P.W. 21
to P.W. 2 by his designation, in which he informed him about the arrival of
Ahmad Raza Kasuri and others at Quetta by PTA, on the 13th September, 1974.
There is a reference in this report to Retired Air Marshal Asghar Khan of Tehrik-
e-Istiqlal and several others and the speeches made by Ahmad Raza Kasuri and
Retired Air Marshal Asghar Khan. What is important to note in this document is
the information which pertained to Ahmad Raza Kasuri only (out of the whole of
the party) that he was not residing in the room reserved for him in Imdad Hotel.
This document does not contain such information about any other person.
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478. Another report (vide office copy Ex. P.W. 41) bearing No. 9681 was sent
by P.W. 4 to P.W. 2 by name on the 18th September, 1974, in which the departure
of Ahmad Raza Kasuri and one Feroze Islam from Quetta for Lahore on the 18th
September, 1974, at 11.30 A.M. by P.T.A. was reported. The departure of Retired
Air Marshal Asghar Khan and some others for Rawalpindi on the 17th Sept, 1974,
was also reported. It was stated that throughout his stay at Quetta the party was
protected by at least 20 persons. These persons were exceptionally cautious and
the persons wishing to see the visitors were usually searched by the persons
detailed for their security. The time of their movements was never disclosed and
they spent little or no time in the hotel rooms reserved for them. It is also stated
that a source who had infiltrated into their ranks on a false claim of being a
relative of Sattar Khan of Mardan was detected when Sattar Khan himself
arrived at Quetta and was removed from the inner circle. A photo-stat copy of
the original re-port document (Ex. P.W. 2Z) bears an endorsement dated the 21st
September, 1974, by P.W. 2 to Mian Muhammad Abbas to discuss and return this
document after seeing it.
479. Mian Muhammad Abbas wrote a letter Ex. P.W. 2/2 on 25th September,
1974 to M. R. Welch P.W. 4 with reference to the intelligence report dated the
14th September, 1974 (Ex. P.W. 2/1) enquiring from him:-
“If Ahmad Raza Kasuri did not stay at Imdad Hotel which was reserved
for him, where else did he stay during his sojourn at Quetta?”.
This query was answered by M. R. Welch P.W. 4 on the 17th November, 1974 by
letter Ex. P.W. 2/3 which states that the gentleman in question had reserved a
particular room in the Imdad Hotel but seldom stayed in that room during the
night. Tie occupied some other room reserved for members of the party in the
hotel.
480. The documentary evidence therefore shows that although there was
evidence of the stay of several persons belonging to the party of Ahmad Raza
Kasuri P.W. 1 in Imdad Hotel, but the report Ex. P.W. 2/1 and the query of Mian
Muhammad Abbas accused (Ex. P.W. 2/2) were confined to the dwelling place
of Ahmad Raza Kasuri P.W. 1. It is clear in this context that report Ex. P.W. 4/1
about the arrangements of the security of the party of Ahmad Raza Kasuri is a
device to submit a report that he was well protected. This was explained by M. R.
Welch P.W. 4 who stated that since he had no intention of committing the
heinous murder he had to find a plausible excuse for not executing the order of
P.W. 2 and he took refuge in the fact that Ahmad Raza Kasuri was well protected.
481. The learned counsel for Mian Muhammad Abbas argued that the words
“Ahmad Raza Kasuri should be taken care of” used by Welch P.W. 4 in his
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statement, are not borne out by the evidence of Masood Mahmud. This is not
correct because Masood Mahmud used the expressions “to be got rid of” or “to
take care of”.
482. Alternatively, the learned counsel argued that the words “to take care of”
could not necessarily mean “assassination.” It might be a case of looking after the
security of Ahmad Raza Kasuri, a MNA, since there were disturbances in
Baluchistan in those days and there were bomb-blast there on the visit of the
principal accused.
483. This argument is without force in view of the explanation by Welch P.W. 4
that “get rid of” meant elimination or assassination. This argument cannot also
be reconciled with the subsequent perturbed state in which P.W. 2 and Mian
Muhammad Abbas accused found themselves on the receipt of intelligence
report Ex. P.W. 2/1 and Ex. P.W. 2/Z (which is the same as Ex. P.W. 4/1) and the
inquiry made by Mian Muhammad Abbas accused by Ex. P.W. 22 about the stay
of Ahmad Raza P.W. 1 at a place other than the one re-served for him. In fact, the
query Ex. P. 2/2 appears clearly to have been put with the object of making a
probe why Welch P.W. 4 could not execute the order at Quetta. It is proof of the
collaboration of Mian Muhammad Abbas in the conspiracy.
484. The incident at Islamabad also lends full sup-port to the evidence of
conspiracy. This incident was in aid of the execution of the unlawful act for
which the conspiracy was hatched. The statement of P.W. 31 about this incident
has been corroborated by Fazal Ali P.W. 24 who supplied the weapons used in
this incident under orders of and threats by Mian Muhammad Abbas, the site
plan of the occurrence Ex. P.W. 23/2, the recovery of five empties from the spot
bearing No. 66171 by Recovery Memo Ex. P.W. 23/3 and the report of the
Ballistic Expert Ex. P.W. 23/4 that the empties were of 7.62 mm calibre
originating from China. P.W. 31 has stated clearly that the rounds fired in the
Islamabad incident were a part of the cartridges issued to him on the road
certificate Ex. P.W. 24/7. The statement of Fazal Ali and the documents Ex. P.W.
24/1 read with Ex. P.W. 39/2 connects these empties with the rounds supplied
by the CAD Havelian to the Armory at the Headquarters of he Federal Security
Force.
485. The learned counsel for Mian Muhammad Abbas urged in his argument
that there is no evidence that the Islamabad incident was engineered by the
Federal Security Force. This argument is without merit in view of the evidence
referred to above.
486. He also argued that in case the shots were fired by Mulazim Hussain from
the back window of the jeep, the empties could not have been ejected on the road.
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This argument ignores the statement of P.W. 31 in cross-examination of Mr.
Irshad Ahrnad Qureshi, Advocate that an “empty is always ejected from a sten-
gun in such a way that it is thrown out-side towards road and in front of the
muzzle. Normally an empty would fall in the jeep when a sten-gun is fired from
a jeep if in the course of being ejected it hits some other object and its progress is
thus altered.” It is clear from this statement that the possibility of these empties
falling inside the jeep could arise only if in the course of being ejected they had
hit some other object and their course had thus been altered.
Under the directions of Mian Muhammad Abbas, P.W. 31 left immediately for
Lahore where he stayed for ten days and thereafter returned to Rawalpindi after
finding out the whereabouts of Ahmad Raza Kasuri.
488. The evidence of P.W. 31 regarding the return of the weapons issued to
him for the Islamabad incident under orders of Mian Muhammad Abbas accused
is corroborated by P.W. 24. Similarly his visit to Lahore is supported by the
entries of departure for Lahore on the 16th of October, 1974, and his arrival at
Rawalpindi on the 26th of October, 1974, Ex. P.W. 31/1 and Ex. P.W. 31/2
respectively. It is clear from these documents that he had come to Lahore on a
special duty.
489. The evidence of P.W. 331 about the Lahore occurrence is supported in
material particulars, (i) about the supply of arms under the orders of Mian
Muhammad Abbas by Amir Badshah Khan, P.W. 20, (ii) about his being checked
while going in a jeep without number-plate by Sardar Muhammad Abdul Wakil
Khan, P.W. 14, (iii) about reconnaissance of the wedding place in Shadman
Colony to find out the car of Ahmad Raza P.W. 1 by P.W. 19, (iv) about his
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departure on the 12th November, 1974 for Rawalpindi by Manzoor Hussain P.W.
21 and (v) about his absence from Rawalpindi from the 31st October, 1971
onwards, by Ex. P.W. 31/6. The story about attack on the car of Ahmad Raza
Kasuri on the night between 10th and 11th of November, 1974, by automatic
weapons belonging to the Federal Security Force is corroborated by the site plan
Ex. P.W. 34/2, the recovery of empties bearing the same number as the empties
of the Islamabad incident, i.e. 66171, by P.W. 34, the finding implied in the
evidence of Nadir Hussain Abidi P.W. 3 about their calibre being 7.62 mm and
the evidence a P.W. 14 and P.W. 3 about the knowledge that the weapons of this
calibre were in the use of the Federal Security Force.
491. The prosecution has led considerable evidence to prove the subsequent
conduct of the principal accused and his officers in the uncalled for and illegal
tampering with the evidence and investigation of the case. The fact that the
empties were not sealed initially, were not kept in the Malkhana of the police
station and were allowed to be substituted is coved beyond any shadow of doubt
by the evidence of P.W. 34, P.W. 36, P.W. 14, P.W. 16, P.W. 18 and P.W. 24. This
story proves the tampering of evidence by Abdul Hamid Bajwa and Mian
Muhammad Abbas.
492. It is in the evidence of Asghar Khai P.W. 12 that Abdul Hamid Bajwa was
at Lahore on the 11th November, 1974 and he participated in the meeting held
that day at the residence of the Inspector Central of Police. He also held meetings
later with P.Ws. 12 and 14. The presence of Abdul Hamid Bajwa at Lahore is
corroborated by his T.A. Bill Ex. P.W. 3/5 which proves that he remained at
Lahore from 8th November, 1974 to the 13th November, 1974 and during this
period he made only a few hours visit to Samundari on the 12th November, 1974.
He was again in Lahore from the 16th November, 1974 to 20th November, 1974.
In fact his T.A. Bill Ex. P.W. 3/5, Ex. P.W. 3/6, Ex. P.W. 3/7, Ex. P.W. 3/8, Ex.
P.W. 3/9 and Ex. P.W. 3/10 prove his frequent visits to Lañore during the
months of November and December, 1974 and January and February, 1975. This
is corroborative of his unusual and illegal interest in the investigation of this case.
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493. I have already referred to the evidence that P.W. 34 did not seal the
empties recovered from the spot on a specific direction by Abdul Ahad, DSP.
Abdul Ahad had given this direction on the ground that the name of the Prime
Minister had been mentioned in the F.I.R. There is documentary evidence of
direct liaison between Abdul Ahad and Abdul Hamid Bajwa. Ex. P.W. 3/2-A is a
note of Abdul Ahad dated 22nd November, 1974, with which was enclosed the
copy of the F.I.R. It bears the comments Ex. P.W. 3/2-A/l of Abdul Hamid Bajwa
which means that the note of Abdul Ahad was meant for him. Abdul Hamid
Bajwa in his comments referred to the desire of the Chief Security Officer of the
Prime Minister (P.W. 3) to see the F.I.R. After referring to the time of rceurrence
(12.30 A.M.) and the time of the registration of the case on the statement of
Ahmad Raza Kasuri after 3.00 A.M.), he wrote
“What prevented them to register case immediately it was known that attempt to
murder was made”
This statement would have formed part of the case diary in that case and not the
F.I.R.”
This note is followed by the note Ex. P.W. 32-B written by Saeed Ahmad Khan on
the 24th November, 1974, and sent to the Secretary to the Prime Minister. The
note records that the F.I.R. had been sealed yet a good deal of publicity had been
given to it. He concluded by saying that such an incident invoiving firing in the
heart of the town, not far away from the police station could have been detected
immediately, by the police, and the case registered suo motu by it. This note bears
an endorsement of the principal accused (Ex. P.W. 3/2-B/1).
493. These two documents prove that Abdul Hamid Bajwa was perturbed over
the registration of the case on a first information report given by Ahmad Raza
Kasuri since it named the principal accused. He suggested in his note that this
could have been obviated by registration of the case by the police suo motu and
by making the statement of Ahmad Raza Kasuri P.W. 1 as a part of the case diary.
The same suggestion was given by Abdul Hamid Bajwa to P.W. 12 and P.W. 14
also. These documents corroborate the evidence of these witnesses on this point.
These documents further show that the principal accused as well as the P.W. 3
agreed to this suggestion.
494. It is in evidence of P.W. 3 that the principal accused took serious exception
to his remaining at Rawalpindi when his name was being taken before a judicial
inquiry being held at Lahore by my learned brother Shafi-ur-Rahman, J. in the
murder case of Muhammad Ahmad Khan and he directed him to proceed to
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Lahore immediately and meet the Advocate General, the Chief Secretary, the I.G.
of Police and the investigating officers and look into the case. P.W. 3 arrived in
Lahore and had a meeting with the above mentioned officers. He found that
nothing worthwhile had been done in the investigation of the case. He also came
to know about the calibre of the bullets used for the offence which indicated the
use of Chinese weapons which were in the official use of the Federal Security
Force. He, however, noticed the helplessness of the local police who were
deliberately avoiding making the investigation on this line.
495. It was decided in the meeting that Malik Muhammad Waris of the CIA
who had been entrusted with the investigation, should go to Rawalpindi and
seek further instructions from him. Malik Muhammad Waris P.W. 15 and Abdul
Ahad, therefore, saw him at Rawalpindi on the 14th January, 1975. The principal
accused had already laid down the guiding principles for the investigation and
had directed him to find out from the Joint Army Detection Organization about
the availability of such arms in the country and also to write to the Defence
Secretary to find out which Army Units were using the Chinese weapon
officially. He had also directed him to make inquiries from Bara, regarding
availability of these arms. These directions were given because the principal
accused was keeping the FSF out of the investigation. The principal accused had
further talked to him about the family disputes of Ahmad Raza Kasuri, P.W. 1,
the local political rivalries and previous litigation in the family and directed him
to help the investigating officers in collecting all the evidence on these lines and
to see that this material was produced before the Tribunal.
496. P.W. 3 stated that on the visit of Malik Muhammad Waris P.W. 15 and Sh.
Abdul Ahad to him on the 14th January, 1975, he rang up the Officer in charge of
JADO and informed him that he was sending Malik Muhammad Waris to him in
order to find out whether the Chinese weapons in question were available
elsewhere. He asked him to give his report in writing. It was in these
circumstances that the re-port Ex. P.W. 3/3-B was brought to him.
497. He directed Malik Muhammad Waris P.W. 15 to find out if such weapons
were available at Bara, and further directed him to collect material regarding the
family disputes, political rivalries with Ahmad Raza Kasuri and his family.
498. This evidence is corroborated not only by Malik Muhammad Waris P.W.
15 but also, though partly, by the report of the JADO (Ex. P.W. 3/3-B) which
refers to the visit by the investigating officer to the Directorate General ISI, in
connection with this case and states that such arms and ammunition were
available in Darrah Adam Khel as well as from the underground elements in the
settled districts. Ex. P.W. 3/3-A, a letter dated 17th January, 1975, written by P.W.
3 to the Defence Secretary, proves that the report of JADO Ex. P.W. 3/3-B was
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already with him (P.W. 3) because he sent a copy of this report to the Defence
Secretary. In this letter P.W. 3 requested the Defence Secretary to clarify which
Army Units used this calibre of weapons. The Defence Secretary answered by
letter Ex. P.W. 3/3-C that the Chinese arms of this calibre which were issued to
Army Units in West Pakistan had almost been withdrawn from all units and
were being held only by the Federal Security Force, Frontier Corps Units and the
Army Corps Tank Crews.
499. P.W. 3 further stated on receiving the above report of the Defence
Secretary, he was perplexed because it was mentioned that the Chinese arms
were in the use of the Federal Security Force while he had been given positive
instructions by the principal accused to keep the Federal Security Force out. He,
therefore, had no other alternative but to go back to the principal accused. In his
meeting with him he showed the said letter of the Defence Secretary and
enquired as to whether it should be produced before the Tribunal. On this, the
principal accused got infuriated and asked him whether he had been sent to
safeguard his interest or to incriminate him. He also said that this letter would
not be produced before the Tribunal.
500. This portion of the statement has been corroborated by the fact that the
original D.O. Letter Ex. P.W. 3/3-C has remained throughout in the file Ex. P.W.
3/3 and has been proved on this record from that file.
502. Although this exercise in fishing for local disputes and political rivalries
was to change the venue of investigation in order to exonerate the real culprits,
yet it is important to note that despite concentrating all his efforts in conducting
the investigation on the lines directed by Saeed Ahmad Khan, P.W. 3, Malik
Muhammad Waris completely failed to make any headway. The investigation
about the alleged disputes with the local persons and about the distribution of
family property led to no worthwhile results. He found that the disputes of
Ahmad Raza Kasuri with Yaqoob Maan’s party had already come to close.
503. The learned counsel for Mian Muhammad Abbas accused argued
vehemently that the evidence of Ahmad Raza Kasuri P.W. 1 itself reveals that he
was attacked by Yaqoob Maan’s and Toor’s party several times. This evidence,
therefore, is compatible with the possibility of P.W. 1 having been attacked by
the same party.
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504. This argument is without force for the simple reason that if such was the
case there was no reason why P.W. 15 might not have brought those culprits to
book in order to free the principal accused from the blame of this attack. It is,
therefore, proved beyond any shadow of doubt that the guidelines given by the
principal accused to Saeed Ahmad Khan and communicated by him to P.W. 15
were not correct and were not given for the purpose of helping the discovery of
the actual culprits. The purpose of these guidelines and direction was only to
lead the investigating officer astray.
507. Ex.P.W. 3/3-D is a note by Saeed Ahmad Khan, to the Director General of
Information and Broadcasting Division, proposing that publicity might be given
to the statements of SSP, Lahore (P.W. 3) and Malik Muhammad Waris, DSP
(P.W. 15) made by them before the Inquiry Tribunal on the 29th January, 1975, in
the inquiry into the murder case of Nawab Muhammad Ahmad Khan. The
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portions to be given publicity were side-lined. It is proved from the signature of
the principal accused, Ex. P.W. 3/3-E on this note that he approved the
suggestion. These statements were given publicity in the newspapers on the 30th
February, 1975 (vide Ex. P.W. 3/3-F which is initialled by P.W. 3 at Ex. P.W. 3/3-
G and by Abdul Hamid Bajwa at Ex. P.W. 3/3-H). Despite the publicity given to
a portion of the inquiry proceedings, the principal accused did not agree to the
publication of the inquiry report of the Tribunal.
508. This inquiry report was sent by the Tribunal by covering letter Ex.P.W.
35/1 dated the 26th February, 1975, on which there is an endorsement (Ex. P.W.
35/1-A) by the Chief Secretary Punjab that:
“Secy. to the C.M. may kindly see and bring the matter to C.M’s notice.”
The Chief Secretary wrote a separate note Ex. P.W. 35/2 on the noting part
of the file that he had discussed the report with Saeed Ahmad Khan P.W. 3 and
the latter had suggested that the report may be sent for information to the Prime
Minister (the principal accused) and a copy of it may be sent to him. He also
suggested that a copy may be sent to the Inspector General of Police for taking
necessary action, for obtaining explanation from the Investigating Officers
against whom aspersions had been made and for implementing the directions of
the Tribunal. Lastly, it was suggested by him that
“C.M. may kindly consider asking for P.M’s advice whether this
document is to be made public.” Then follows the note of Shahid Hameed,
Secretary to the Chief Minister, Punjab, (Ex.P.W. 35/2-A) dated the 7th March,
1975, that the Chief Minister had seen the above note and had written a letter to
the Prime Minister. He had also desired that another copy may be sent to Saeed
Ahmad Khan P.W. 3 and yet another copy to the Inspector General of Police. The
Chief Minister had sought advice whether or not the report of the Tribunal
should be made public.
509. According to the statement of P.W. 3, he put up a note Ex. P.W. 3/3-I to the
effect that the Tribunal had criticized the lapses in the investigation at the initial
stages but seemed to have been satisfied with the investigation carried on later
by the DSP, C.I.A. Lahore. He recommended publication of the relevant portion
of the report. The document fully supports his statement. The principal accused
made a note (Ex. P.W. 3/3-J) on this document that he would decide after seeing
the report. This matter was, therefore, kept pending. Later he received letter Ex.
P.W. 3/3-K, dated the 8th March, 1975, from the Chief Secretary, Punjab, with
which was enclosed a copy of the Tribunal’s report “as desired by the Chief
Minister.” This letter also referred to the discussion with P.W.3 on this case on
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his last visit to Lahore. P.W. 3 wrote a note Ex. P.W. 3/3-L, on the body of this
letter on the 14th March, 1975, directing for preparation of a draft which could be
recommended for publication. P.W. 3 stated that on receipt of the D.O. letter
from Mr. Muhammad Haneef Ramay, Chief Minister (copy of which has been
proved as Ex. P.W. 353), the principal accused marked it to him (P.W. 3) with the
remarks:
He met the Prime Minister who told him that the report should not be publicized
as it was adverse and that he should have nothing to do with the case any more.
Since the original D.O. letter of Mr. Muhammad Haneef Ramay to the principal
accused is not available, the prosecution proved the latter’s aforesaid remarks by
an entry made in the challan form Ex. P.W. 27/2. In order to prove that these
remarks were communicated to and received by P.W. 3 the Peon Book Ex. P.W.
3/4 containing entry of dispatch of the letter containing the remarks (Ex. P.W.
3/4) has been proved.
510. These documents further corroborate the evidence about the undue
interference in the investigation of the case and the interest of the principal
accused in publicizing what he considered to be in his interest and to withhold
the publication of what he considered to be against him. It throws lurid light on
the interest of the principal accused in misdirecting the investigation as well as in
directing the publicity pertaining to the case.
511. Reports Exs. P.W. 3/2-K, P.W. 3/2-L, P.W. 3/2-N, P.W. 3/2-O, P.W. 3/2-Q
are the intelligence reports of Abdul Hamid Bajwa while Ex. P.W. 3/2-M is an
intelligence report of Saeed Ahmad Khan which prove the surveillance by Abdul
Hamid Bajwa as well as P.W. 3 on the activities of Ahmad Raza Kasuri which
were continued even after the death of his father.
512. Ex. P.W. 3/2-K dated the 28th November, 1975, states that Ahmad Raza
Kasuri was trying to win sympathies of the police by saying that the Government
had more no arrangement for providing them the food while on duty. It further
states that Ahmad Raza Kasuri claimed that four persons had been deputed to
kill him that they had fired with automatic weapons while hiding near Shadman
Round-about, that his friends had collected some empties from the spot, and that
a message was passed from Lahore to Rawalpindi after “the mission was
complete.” The report also refers to the condolence by Lt.-General Niazi and the
opinion of Senior Army Officers that the assailants were armed with heavy
calibre automatic weapons not available with private persons. It further states
that Ahmad Raza Kasuri who had 40 relatives in the Army would not sit idle till
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they traced out and dealt with the culprits. It further refers to the threat by Lt.-
Gen. Niazi that the murder would be avenged. It concludes by the remarks that
Ahmad Raza Kasuri was harsh to Muhammad Haneef Ramay for the latter’s
statement that the murder was due to his enmity in Kasur and party faction in
Tehrik-e-Istiqlal.
513. On the 29th November, 1974, Ahmad Raza Kasuri P.W. 1 filed a Privilege
Motion Ex. P.W. 1/7 in which he made reference to numerous attacks on him by
the PPP Workers, the threat by the principal accused in the Assembly on the 3rd
June, 1974, the attack on him on the 24th August, 1974 to eliminate an “absolute
poison”, the incident at Lahore resulting in the death of his old father and that no
investigation had been made in the case despite the recovery of bullet empties.
He made a demand that the principal accused should resign and submit himself
to the process of law since he had been mentioned in the F.I.R.
514. Another Privilege Motion Ex. P.W. 22/6 was tabled a day earlier on the
28th November, 1974, by another Member of the National Assembly, namely, Ch.
Zahoor Elahi.
515. Both the Privilege Motions were considered together on the 2nd December,
1974, vide proceedings of the National Assembly of that day Ex. P.W. 22/7, and
were ruled out of order by the Speaker on the 3rd December, 1974. This ruling is
printed on pages 135 to 137 of the Official Reports of the Debates of the National
Assembly of Pakistan Ex. P.W. 22/8.
516. Saeed Ahmad Khan, P.W. 3 attached a copy of the Privilege Motion Ex.
P.W. 1/7 to his note Ex. P.W. 3/2-M which bears the signature of the principal
accused in token of his having seen it. It appears from the note that the Privilege
Motion was not brought on the record of the proceedings of the National
Assembly. P.W. 3 commented in the note that the Privilege Motion contained a
pack of lies and remarked that its copies had been distributed by Ahmad Raza
Kasuri and his henchmen to foreign embassies and to foreign journalists
including Chinese News Agency. It concludes with the report that Ahmad Raza
Kasuri was in a desperate state and had been heard saying that he will take
revenge of the murder of his fathers personally.
517. It appears from the ruling of the Speaker on the Privilege Motions of
Ahmad Raza Kasuri and Ch. Zahur Elahi Ex. P.W. 1/7 and Ex. P.W. 22/6 that the
Speaker had expunged certain remarks of Ahmad Raza Kasuri from the record.
In his report Ex. P.W. 3/2-N dated the 8th December, 1974, which bears the
signature of the principal accused, Abdul Hamid Bajwa reproduced a talk
between Ahmad Raza Kasuri and a friend in which Ahmad Raza Kasuri had
stated that:
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“He had said at the Floor of the House that Mr. Bhutto is the murderer of his
father and he should be brought before the Court of law”, but “it was expunged by
that bloody dishonest man -Speaker...........
He also complained that the statement of Ch. Zahoor Elahi and Mian Mahmood
Ali Kasuri who had spoken on this issue, were not published in the newspapers.
518. The report Ex. P.W. 3/2-L submitted on the 29th November, 1975, the date
on which the Privilege Motion Ex. P.W. 1/7 was moved is a revealing document.
It states that Ahmad Raza Kasuri had employed some persons from N.W.F.P. as
his personal gunman and as guards at his residence and he would request for the
favour of police guard if asked by the Speaker or some other Cabinet Minister for
any help. He would also request that Army Intelligence should investigate into
the murder case of his father and he might project this demand through Party or
some MNA in the National Assembly. The report continues that the father of
Ahmad Raza Kasuri was a holder of fire-arms license for a gun and for a
prohibited bore revolver, Ahmad Raza Kasuri was thinking of depositing these
weapons with the Speaker and requesting him to help him in getting a license for
himself so that he could retain those weapons as souvenir. The report concludes
with the following sentence:
“He is being conveyed through a contact that such arms have to be deposited with
police or Arms Dealers, under the orders of the District Magistrate.”
519. It is clear from this document that special emphasis was laid in the report
on the ways m which Ahmad Raza Kasuri had taken steps for his security by
keeping personal gunmen as well as guards at his residence, and by requesting
the Speaker to help him in securing the license for the arms left by his deceased
father, but Abdul Hamid Bajwa had engaged the services of some ‘contact’ to
advise Ahmad Raza Kasuri to deposit these arms with the police or Arms
Dealers.
520. Ex. P.W. 3/2-Q is the report dated the 9th December, 1974, by Abdul
Hamid Bajwa (and signed by the principal accused), conveying the satisfaction of
Ahmad Raza Kasuri on the appointment of the Tribunal to inquire into this case.
It is a reproduction of the talk between him and his brother Sher Ali regarding a
scheme for violating section 144 Cr. P.C. by collecting 300 to 400 guns for
confrontation with F.S.F. and the Police. The report makes a particular reference
to an advice of Sher Ali to Ahmad Raza Kasuri P.W. 1 to get license for a carbine
from Mr. Qayyum and the promise made by Ahmad Raza Kasuri to abide by this.
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521. There is the evidence of Ashiq Muhammad Lodhi, P.W. 28 about report Ex.
P.W. 28/1 which he with submitted to Abdul Hamid Bajwa with covering letter
Ex. P.W. 3/2-T dated 10.1.1975 conveying to him on his demand, the description
of the gunman of Ahmad Raza Kasuri who accompanied him to the National
Assembly.
522. These documents particularly Ex. P.W.3/2-L. Ex. P.W. 3/2-Q and secure
report Ex. P.W. 28/1 prove that Abdul Hamid Bajwa continued, with the consent
of the principal accused, his witch-hunting against Ahmad Raza Kasuri even
after the Lahore occurrence and left no stone unturned to drive a wedge in the
security measures taken by the latter to effect a break- through obviously in
order to facilitate the completion of the performance of the conspiracy. There
could be no other object of collecting information about the security measures
taken by Ahmed Raza Kasuri and about the description of his gunman. Similarly
there could be no other motivation for gathering information about his intention
to obtain arms license or for dissuading him through a contact from keeping the
weapons of his father.
522. Mr. Qurban Sadiq Ikram urged that such re ports are usually collected by
the Intelligence about persons pursuing a political career. But he could not give
any motive for collecting reports about measures of security adopted by Ahmad
Raza Kasuri and the description of his gunman or for infiltrating contacts to
dissuade him from keeping the arms of his father. The argument is not sound.
523. It appears from the evidence that after experiencing frustration upon
frustration in the performance of the conspiracy efforts started for bringing
Ahmad Raza Kasuri to the fold of the Peoples Party, P.W. 3 gave the background
of how he was made to re-join the PPP. He stated that somewhere in the middle
of 1975 when there was rift growing between Ahmad Raza Kasuri and Retired
Air Marshal Asghar Khan, he was instructed by the principal accused to win
over Ahmad Raza Kasuri and bring him back to the Pakistan Peoples Party’s fold.
He told him that he did not know Ahmad Raza Kasuri but he would ask Abdul
Hamid Bajwa to initiate the matter. The principal accused, however, told him
that Abdul Hamid Bajwa had already been instructed in this matter.
524. P.W. 3 had meetings with Ahmad Raza Kasuri. In the first meeting he
advised him to consider rejoining the Peoples Party as he claimed to be a founder
Member. On this Ahmad Raza Kasuri blurted out how he could rejoin the Party
of which the Chairman was the principal accused that was responsible for the
murder of his father and was after his life. The witness prevailed upon him by
resort to threat as well as persuasion that being a marked man it was in his own
interest to rejoin the Party. Ahmad Raza Kasuri took time to think over and
ultimately consented to the course proposed to him.
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525. Ex. P.W. 3/2-C is a report by Abdul Hamid Bajwa bearing the signature of
the principal accused about Ahmad Raza Kasuri’s intention to establish a
forward block in Tehrik-e-Istaqlal. It shows he was thinking of forming an
independent political party at that time.
536. Ex. P.W. 3/2-D dated the 4th June, 1975, is a report by Saeed Ahmad Khan
about the criticism by Ahmad Raza Kasuri of Air Marshal Asghar Khan. It states
that arrangements were in hand to widen the gulf between Air Marshal Asghar
Khan and Ahmad Raza Kasuri through other sources also.
537. Ex. P.W. 3/2-E is another report of Saeed Ahmad Khan P.W. 3 about his
meetings with Ahmad Raza Kasuri, about his views that he had realized that his
future lay with the Pakistan Peoples Party of which he claimed to be a founder
Member and about his re quest for audience with the Prime Minister (accused) at
his convenience.
538. Ex. P.W. 3/2-F, Ex. P.W. 3/2-H, Ex. P.W. 3/2-1 and Ex. P.W. 3/2-J are
reports which prove the process how by holding various sufficient meeting with
Ahmad Raza Kasuri, Saeed Ahmad Khan P.W. 3 and Abdul Hamid Bajwa
chiseled “his rough edges” and sobered him.
539. The statement of P.W. 3 about how and in what circumstances Ahmad
Raza Kasuri was made to rejoin the Peoples Party is corroborated by the
documents which show inter alia that the officers of the Prime Minister’s staff
attempted to widen the gulf between Ahmad Raza Kasuri and Air Marshal
Asghar Khan and they held a number of meetings with him to achieve the object
of bringing him back to the party. The evidence of P.W. 3 read along with these
documents would show that when Ahmad Raza Kasuri was compelled to feel
that all avenues of help, the police and the assembly combined, had been
foreclosed to him and he was in constant danger to his life, attempts were
initiated for making him to rejoin the Pakistan Peoples Party “in his own
interest” and these efforts ultimately succeeded. The evidence is fully supported
by the statement of Ahmad Raza Kasuri himself. The deence is not benefitted by
P.W. 1 rejoining PPP.
540. The conspiracy to murder Ahmad Raza Kasuri is thus further proved not
only by what transpired at Quetta as well the incidents at Islamabad and Lahore
but also by the subsequent conduct of the principal accused, P.W. 3 and Abdul
Hamid Bajwa in misdirecting the investigation thus rendering it impossible for
the actual culprits to be detected, in continuing the witch-hunting against
Ahmad Raza Kasuri by taking special precautions and steps that he should be
kept unarmed and unprotected and ultimately after being frustrated in achieving
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the object of conspiracy, in prevailing upon him to let bygones be bygones,
condone what had happened and join the Pakistan Peoples Party.
541. The learned counsel for Mian Muhammad Abbas criticized the evidence
of Masood Mahmud and Saeed Ahmad Khan only on the ground that they had
made some improvements in their earlier statements. He pointed out certain
omissions. I have already dealt with this question and found that these omissions
are more or less omissions of details or omissions of matters which have been
brought on record by the Public Prosecutor by putting specific questions. There
are no inconsistencies or contradictions between their earlier statements and the
statements before the Court.
542. It is clear from the record that neither Masood Mahmud P.W. 2 nor Saeed
Ahmad Khan P.W. 3 have any motive to involve any of the accused falsely.
Masood Mahmud could not have any motive since his father and the deceased
were great friends. Moreover it is the principal accused’s own case as brought
out by suggestions in cross-examination that he had been given a post of utmost
importance and was given concessions which are not afforded to other
Government servants similarly placed. He was allowed to stay in Delux Hotels
during his tours. He was sent to visit foreign countries and enjoyed such visits by
staying in costly hotels. His wife was also allowed to visit foreign countries at
Government expense and the Government bore considerable expenses on his
medical treatment outside the country and even on his purchase of spectacles
fitted with a hearing aid. These questions were put to him when he dubbed the
principal accused and Waqar Ahmad, Establishment Secretary as his enemies in
the sense that he was used for illegal purposes. The reason suggested to P.W. 2
by the learned counsel for the principal accused and to P.W. 3 by both the
counsel was that false statements were made by them on being pressurized from
the Martial Law Authorities. But they denied this. It is, therefore, established that
they have no motive of their own to involve the principal accused falsely. There
is similarly no personal motive on the part of Mian Muhammad Abbas and the
confessing accused to commit the offence.
543. The suggestion about the pressure from Martial Law Authorities has been
put to most of the witnesses but I am convinced that no such pressure was
brought. On the other hand most of the witnesses have been corroborated in
what they stated, by documentary evidence and sometimes by oral evidence.
544. The learned counsel for Mian Muhammad Abbas argued that the relations
between Masood Mahmud and Mian Muhammad Abbas have been strained.
Nothing is farther from the truth. There is no evidence about this except bare
suggestions in cross-examination. The said accused summoned three witnesses
to prove this, but ultimately gave them up.
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545. It is on the other hand clear from the documentary evidence that during
the years 1974, 1975 and 1976 Masood Mahmud had been giving extremely good
Confidential Annual Reports in favour of Mian Muhammad Abbas (Ex. D.W. 4/1,
Ex. D.W. 4/2 and Ex. D.W. 4/3). Mian Muhammad Abbas was only an Acting
Director when Masood Mahmud took over, but it was on his recommendation
that he was promoted to the post of Director in Grade 19 (Ex. D.W. 4/6). He was
also awarded honorarium amounting to Rs. 700/- for the performance of work of
special merit vide D.W. 4/9, which proves that he was held in great esteem by
P.W. 2. P.W. 2 also went to see him in the hospital when he was ill. All these
documents prove that the relations between Mian Muhammad Abbas and the
P.W. 2 had throughout been cordial.
546. It was urged that Mian Muhammad Abbas had twice tendered his
resignation, but the same was not accepted by P.W. 2. This is denied by the P.W.
2. It is strange to note that these resignations Ex. P.W. 2/12-D and P.W. 2/13-D
have been produced by the accused from his own custody. They bear no
indication that they were ever submitted to the Director General or any Officer in
the office. No reliance can, therefore, be placed upon these documents. Even if it
is conceded that these resignations were not accepted by Masood Mahmud, it
will only prove that Masood Mahmud did not want to lose the service of Mian
Muhammad Abbas, accused, for whom he had the highest regard.
548. It was suggested that it was on account of this statement that Masood
Mahmud has involved Min Muhammad Abbas. There is no justification for these
arguments since there is no proof that this statement had ever been brought to
the knowledge of P.W. 2.
549. A suggestion was put to Welch P.W. 4 that in an inquiry against Mustafa
Jan, Deputy Director, Mian Muhammad Abbas had made a report attributing
lack of control to him (P.W. 4). This apparently surprised the witness and he
stated that it was the first time he was hearing about such a report. P.W. 4 is an
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independent witness. There is nothing on the record to show that what he was
stating was not truthful.
550. Some exception was taken during cross-examination to his statement that
the photo-stat copy of Ex. P.W. 2Z was given to him by Mian Muhammad Abbas.
It was suggested that this copy was given to him by Nazir Ahmad, Deputy
Director and not Man Muhammad Abbas. This was denied. The suggestion
proves Ex. P.W. 2/Z to be a genuine document since it was not denied that this
copy was given by the F.S.F., Rawalpindi.
551. Mian Qurban Sadiq Ikram criticized that material witnesses were
withheld thus causing prejudice to the offence. These are Muhammad Yousaf,
H.C., Col. Wazir Muhammad Khan of C.A.D. Havelian, and the recovery witness
in the Lahore incident. Muhammad Yousaf, Head Constable, Walton, Lahore had
given the weapons and ammunition to Ghulam Mustufa accused under orders of
Amir Badshah Khan, P.W.20. It was urged during arguments that the
intervention of Mian Muhammad Abbas for ensuring the supply of weapons to
Ghulam Hussain at Lahore was unnecessary since the latter had obtained
weapons directly from Muhammad Yousaf on the 25th of October, 1974 and 7th
of November, 1974. Reference was made to the Roznamcha of Muhammad Yousaf
But. Neither the Roznamcha nor its relevant entries were proved.
552. This argument firstly falsifies the plea of Mian Muhammad Abbas that
Ghulam Hussain was not in Lahore between 31st of November, 1974 to the 12th
of November, 1974. Secondly it is not understandable why the said accused did
not produced Muhammad Yousaf as a defence witness to prove the Roznamcha
entries when he had summoned Abdul Khaliq, D.W. 3 for proving Ex. D.W. 3/1,
recovery memo of that Roznamcha.
554. The learned counsel urged that if Col. Wazir Ahmad Khan had been
produced it could have been proved in cross-examination that C.A.D. Havelian
did not supply the entire lot bearing No. 66171 of 7.62 calibre ammunition SMG,
LMG to the Federal Security Force Headquarters. Thus a case could be made that
no adverse inference should be drawn from the row-very of the empties
engraved with this number in the two incidents at Islamabad and at Lahore. This
is no ground for permitting the prosecution to produce the witness since Mian
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Muhammad Abbas could have produced him in his defence; in the manner he
has produced other defence evidence.
555. There is no reason why he should have with-held this record. On the other
hand it appears clear from the statement of Ghulam Hussain made in answer to a
cross-examination question of Mian Qurban Sadiq Ikram that the lot bearing a
particular number and manufactured in any particular year cannot be issued to
anybody else.
556. In view of this answer which excludes the possibility of lots bearing the
same number and year of manufacture to be issued to two different
organizations it can safely be presumed under Section 114 Evidence Act that if
Col. Wazir Muhammad Khan had been summoned as a defence witness, he
would not have supported Mian Muhammad Abbas.
557. Objection was also raised about non-production of the report of the Fire
Arms Expert which admittedly was a negative report and was not therefore
relevant in view of the non-recovery of the weapons used in the attack.
558. Mian Qurban Sadiq Ikram further argued that two witnesses of recovery
of 24 crime empties were not produced. I do not think that the evidence of these
witnesses would have made any difference, in view of the independent evidence
of P.W. 36 Nadir Hussain Abidi that the recovered empties were not sealed.
559. The learned Public Prosecutor argued that it is not necessary under the
law that all the witnesses cited in the calendar should be produced by the
prosecution. He referred to Shaukat Ali v. The State (1976 P.Cr. L.J. 214), Nazir
Jat and others v. The State why the said accused did not produce Muhammad
(PLD 1961 Lahore 585 (594) and Malak Khan v. Emperor (AIR 1946 P.C. 16)
which support his contention. I agree that in the circumstances of this case no
adverse inference can be drawn by the non-production of any particular witness
since the prosecution has produced sufficient evidence not only to corroborate
the approvers in material particulars but even other witnesses.
560. Mian Qurban Sadiq Ikram took objection to the mode of proof of Ex. P.W.
1/2, Ex. P.W. 3/3-I, Ex. P.W. 36/1, Ex. P.W. 36/2, Ex. P.W. 36/3, Ex. P.W. 36/4,
Ex. P.W. 35/1, Ex. P.W. 35/2, Ex. P.W. 35/3, Ex. P.W. 35/4, Ex. P.W. 35/5, Ex.
P.W. 38/2 and Ex. P.W. 38/3. This objection is also without force. The first six
and the last two documents were admitted without any objection by any counsel.
Objection was taken to the proof of other document, without the production of
the writer thereof, by the evidence of a witness identifying the handwriting. This
objection was held to be unsustainable in view of the provisions of Section 67
Evidence Act.
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561. It was argued that document Ex. P.W. 3/3/-I reproduces the report of the
Tribunal which has not been allowed to be proved. As such this document
should not have been admitted in evidence. It is true that document P.W. 3/3-I
refers to some recommendation of the Tribunal, but this reference has been made
only for the purpose of deciding whether the report should be given publicity or
not. It does not prove the Tribunal’s report as such and no objection can be taken
to its being brought on record.
562. An objection was also raised that Mr. Irshjd Ahmad Qureshi should not
have been allowed to cross-examine the witness on behalf of the confessing
accused after the cross-examination by the counsel of the principal accused since
his role was that of a prosecutor. I do not agree with this argument. The order in
which the cross-examination was conducted by different counsel was not
regulated by the Court, but was left to the counsel themselves to determine. Mr.
Irshad Ahmad Qureshi has done what he considered best for the technical
defence of acting under superior order which his clients have taken. It would be
a travesty to line him up with the prosecution.
563. It was urged that there was no motive either on the part of Mian
Muhammad Abbas or on the part of the principal accused to conspire to kill
Ahmad Raza Kasuri I have already dealt with this question. I agree that Mian
Muhammad Abbas had no motive of his own but the principal accused had a
motive on account of the venom in his criticism by Ahmad Raza Kasuri.
564. Reliance was placed upon Ex. P.W. 3/16-D for this argument. This is the
report of Saeed Ahmad Khan dated 29.7.1975, that Ahmad Raza Kasuri had a
number of meetings with him and he had requested for his audience with the
principal accused. The note of Saeed Ahmad Khan has already been proved as
Ex. P.W. 3/2-E. Ex. P.W. 3/16-D was put in cross-examination for proof of the
following endorsement on it:
“He must be kept on the rails, he must repent and he must crawl before he meets
me. He has been a dirty dog. He has called me a mad man. He has gone to the
extent of accusing me of killing his father. He is a lick. He is ungrateful. Let him
stew in his juice for sometime.”
There is another endorsement of the same date signed by the principal accused
reading “Please file”, and addressed to the Private Secretary.
565. This document was exhibited subject to objection by the learned Special
Public Prosecutor because it was urged by the learned Defence Counsel that its
original was not forthcoming. I agree with the arguments of the learned Special
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Public Prosecutor that since the conditions of Section 65 of the Evidence Act for
leading secondary evidence, have not been proved, this document is
inadmissible in evidence. I also agree that the first endorsement is clearly a
forgery. There is no indication that the first endorsement was addressed to or
was required to be seen by anybody. It is not possible to reconcile it with the
second endorsement “Please file”.
566. The learned counsel also argued that the document Ex. P.W. 2/2 does not
incriminate Mian Muhammad Abbas. This argument is without substance since
in the circumstances discussed above the query about the residence of Ahmad
Raza Kasuri, P.W. 1 at Quetta after he had left that place could be made only to
find out why he was not attacked and this document is clearly incriminating in
the context of the evidence on record.
567. Similarly it was urged that the reports of Abdul Hamid Bajwa about the
surveillance of Ahmad Raza Kasuri did not incriminate the principal accused. It
is true that some of the documents taken simply may not be incriminating but
they become relevant and clearly prove the charge against him if they are read
with documents about the probe by Abdul Hamid Bajwa in the arrangements for
his personal security made by Ahmad Raza Kasuri and the reaction of ‘the
former to the desire of the latter to secure licence for arms.
568. The learned counsel criticized Masood Mahmud in regard to his statement
that the post which he was holding before being appointed as Director General,
Federal Security Force was a punishment post. This part of the statement of the
witnesses is not material except for showing that he was not in the good hooks of
Waqar, Establishment Secretary. It is not, therefore, necessary to comment upon
it.
569. The learned counsel argued that the F.I.R. P.W. 1/2 of the Lahore incident
does not say that attack was made at the behest of the principal accused. This
argument is preposterous in view of the explanation given by P.W. 1, the
evidence about the delay in the recording of the F.I.R. given by P.W. 8, 12 and 14,
the documents Exhibits P.W. 3/2-K, P.W. 3/2.M, P.W. 3/2-N and the privilege
motion Ex. F.W. 1/7. It is clear from these documents that P.W. 1 had throughout
been accusing the principal accused as being responsible for the murder of his
father.
570. The learned counsel also argued that there was no interference with the
investigation. What was done by Saeed Ahmad Khan and Abdul Hamid Bajwa
was only to put the officers on “right lines”. I have already dealt at length with
this question on the legal plane and held that the law does not permit any
inference, it is however proved that in the present case this interference was mala
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fide and was clearly with a view to make the detection of the actual culprits
impossible.
571. Detailed arguments were addressed on the question that the story about
the attack by Ghulam Hussain and the two confessing accused at the Shadman
Shah Jamal Roundabout, Lahore was absolutely incorrect and unbelievable since
there were no blood-stained earth, no foot marks and there was delay in the F.I.R.
It is strange that such arguments should have been put in the face of the
confessional statements of those accused persons who were directly responsible
for the firing.
572. The learned counsel argued that there was conflict between the statement
of Ghulam Hussain and the confessions of all the three confessing accused. He
pointed out that Ghulam Hussain did not say in his examination-in-chief that he
fired his pistol, while Iftikhar and Arshad Iqbal said in their confessional
statement that the pistol was fired by him. The argument clearly ignores the
statement of Ghulam Hussain in cross-examination that he did not remember
whether he fired the pistol. This statement does not exclude the possibility of his
having fired it.
573. Certain omissions were also pointed in the confessional statements, but I
do not understand how those omissions could help any of the accused persons.
When the three confessing accused have all along stick to their confession and
accepted all the prosecution evidence produced against them as true, some slight
discrepancy was pointed out in the statement of Ghulam Mustafa and P.W. 2
about the ammunition supplied to him but it is not material in view of the above.
574. It was argued that these statements wore not voluntarily given, but were
given on promise of pardon. This argument is without force after the grant of
pardon to P.W. 2 and P.W. 31 and the confessional statements made by the same
accused in their statements under Section 342 Cr. P.C. It was suggested that they
might have been promised remission of sentience after conviction. This argument
is merely conjectural and no such suggestion was ever put to any witness.
575. It was argued that the confession of Mian Muhammad Abbas at least was
not voluntary. In .support of this it was urged that he was not directly taken to
the judicial lock up, but was taken to the Directorate of F.I.A. at Temple Road,
Lahore and kept there for several hours.
576. This argument is without force since P.W. 38 has explained that Mian
Muhammad Abbas was taken from the Magistrate’s Court to his own relations in
Naz-Nagina Cinemas since he wished to collect some clothes. He not only
collected his clothes but also took meals and offered his prayer. From the place of
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his relative he was taken directly to the judicial lock up. There is no reason why
this statement should be disbelieved. There is no justification for such an
argument. I feel convinced by the evidence of P.W. 10 that Mian Muhammad
Abbas had made a voluntary statement under Section 164 Cr. P.C. before him.
577. It may be stated that the statement of Mian Muhammad Abbas Ex. P.W.
10/9-1 is partly self-exculpatory. He, however, confessed in that statement
having talked to Ghulam Hussain on the subject that the mission about Ahmad
Raza Kasuri should be executed with all haste since he was informed by P.W. 2
that the principal accused was angry. On another occasion he admitted having
asked Ch. Abdullah, Deputy Director to bring round Ghulam Hussain with the
same end in view. The exculpatory part of the statement is clearly proved to be
incorrect by the prosecution evidence. There is no reason to take it into
consideration.
578. It is proved that after the commission of the offence at Lahore, Ghulam
Hussain reached Rawalpindi at about 2.30 P.M. on the 12th November. 1974. The
same day Mian Muhammad Abbas returned from Peshawar at 6.00 P.M. (Ex.
D.W. 4/10). The learned counsel argued that the statement of Ghulam Hussain
that immediately on his arrival at Rawalpindi he contacted Mian Muhammad
Abbas is false and for this reason Ghulam Hussain should not be believed. He
argued that from the evidence of Ghulam Hussain that on reaching Rawalpindi
he contacted the said accused, it should be inferred that after reaching
Rawalpindi he must have contacted him by about 3-00 P.M. which is an
impossibility since the accused was at Peshawar at that time. This argument is
without merit since no time was fixed by Ghulam Hussain. The words “on
reaching Rawalpindi” cannot be interpreted to mean that he contacted Mian
Muhammad Abbas immediately and without any delay. He might have
contacted him after four or five hours after resting for a while.
579. The learned counsel argued that if the principal accused had any motive
to commit the offence of murder he could have brought some persons from
Larkana to commit it instead of involving the Federal Security Force. In the same
strain he submitted that if he had any intention to cause the murder of P.W. 1 he
would not have given vent to his fury in the National Assembly. He also
submitted that Mian Muhammad Abbas had admittedly not much trust in
Ghulam Hussain. It is not believable that he would ask him to go on the mission
to Lahore. Similarly it was unnecessary to obtain the weapons from the armory
at Headquarter when each battalion had an armory of its own..
580. These arguments presume that a criminal must act in a particular manner
in the given circumstances. The reaction may differ from man to man. The
planning may also differ. These arguments cannot create any doubt regarding
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the correctness of the evidence. As far as the distrust of Mian Muhammad Abbas
is concerned, it is the distrust common to any efficient man, who knows his job
and has to drive men otherwise honest, to commit a heinous crime and to
degrade themselves as criminals. Ghulam Hussain, P.W. 31 has given reasons
why the weapons were obtained from Fazal Ali P.W. 24 who is an absolutely
independent witness.
581. The learned counsel pointed out that the two approvers have not been
corroborated in certain particulars and their evidence is not, therefore, sufficient
for the conviction of the accused. He argued that the corroboration must be on
each point. He further submitted that the motive is no corroboration of evidence
of approvers nor can one approver corroborate another approver.
583. The argument that each particular given by the two approvers has not
been confirmed is not relevant once it is proved that every material particular
connecting the two contending accused has been corroborated by oral as well as
documentary evidence. The participation of Mian Muhammad Abbas in the
conspiracy and the role played by him in its execution is corroborated by direct
testimony of P.W.s 20 and 24 and the other circumstantial evidence. Similarly,
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the evidence of charges against the principal accused has been corroborated not
only by the independent evidence of Saeed Ahmad Khan P.W. 3, but also by
considerable circumstantial evidence of Saeed Ahmad Khan P.W. 3, but also by
considerable circumstantial evidence motive as well as the conduct before and
after the matter.
584. The argument of Mian Qurban Sadiq Ikram that the motive cannot
corroborate the evidence of the approver is based upon Qabil Shah v. State (PLD
1960 Karachi 697). It was observed in that case that the motive, however strong it
may, cannot afford necessary corroboration of the testimony of an approver. The
principle laid down cannot be stretched to mean that the motive is absolutely
irrelevant for confirming the evidence of an accomplice. The principle laid down
is not so wide but it only means that evidence of motive only may not furnish the
necessary corroboration for conviction of the accused. It cannot be denied that
motive like other evidence, circumstantial or direct, does play a part in the
administration of criminal justice and if it is one of the links in the chain of
evidence, however weak that link may be, it cannot be discarded as useless
evidence. This proposition finds support from Muhammad Bashir v. State
(Supra). It was observed in that case that
585. The rule of corroboration about the testimony of an approver is based upon
the principle that it is dangerous to act on his uncorroborated testimony because
he is a self-confessed criminal having betrayed his former associates under
temptation of saving his own skin and as such his evidence cannot be viewed
except with natural reaction of distrust and incredulity. What is, therefore,
required is some additional evidence rendering it probable that the story of the
accomplice is true and that is reasonably safe to act upon it.
586. But as pointed out in Kamal Khan v. Emperor (AIR 1935 Bombay 230) an
accomplice is sometimes “not a willing participant in the offence, but victim to
it.” It was in view of this proposition that it was observed in Brinivas Mall v.
Emperor (AIR 1947 P.C. 135) by the Judicial Committee that —
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accomplice is not a willing participant in the offence but a victim of it.
When the accomplices act under a form of pressure which it would
require some firmness to resist, reliance can be placed on their
uncorroborated evidence.”
I have already held that there is sufficient corroboration of the testimony of each
approver which not only tends to connect but actually connects the two
contending accused in this case with the crime charged against them. This is,
however, a case in which it appears clear that both Masood Mahmood and
Ghulam Hussain must have acted under pressure and their evidence to that
effect is correct. The pressure on both of them was not only of superior orders
but also threats. Even if there had not been such a strong corroboration, the
conviction could have been based upon the evidence of these accomplices
because in so far as the principal accused is concerned the motive was
exclusively his. So far as Mian Muhammad Abbas is concerned, it may be
worthwhile noting, and it was conceded by his learned counsel during the
arguments, that all the charges could have been proved against the principal
accused and the three confessing accused without involving him. His
involvement by Masood Mahmood and Ghulam Hussain who have no score to
settle with him is evidence of his connection with the offence. In these
circumstances, the matter would have been governed by the principle laid down
in Brinivas Mall v. Emperor (Supra).
587. Under section 30 of the Evidence Act it is open to the Court to take into
consideration the confession made by Ghulam Mustafa, Arshad Iqbal and Rana
Iftikhar Ahmad accused, at least against Mian Muhammad Abbas. The learned
counsel argued that these confessions, though admissible, were practically not of
much value. It is, however, conceded by him that the conviction of the three
accused could be based on these confessions provided they are found to be
voluntary. It was pointed out in Joygan Bibi v. State (PLD 1960 S.C. 313) that in
case there is only the confession of a co-accused, the conviction of the non-
confessing accused could not be sustained on it since confession of a co-accused
is a matter which merits “to be taken into consideration” and does not have the
quality of evidence as defined in section 3 of the Evidence Act. Similar view was
taken in Magbool Hussain v. The State (PLD 1960 S.C. 382). It was held in
Bluboni Sahu v. The King (Supra) that “section 30 applies to confession, and not
to statements which do not admit the guilt of the confessing party. Section 30
seems to be based on the view that an admission by an accused person of his
own guilt affords some sort of sanction in support of the truth of his confession
against others as well as himself. But a confession of a co-accused is obviously
evidence of a very weak type. It does not indeed come within the definition of
“evidence” contained in section 3. It is not required to be given on oath, nor in
the presence of the accused, and it cannot be tested by cross, examination. It is a
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much weaker type of evidence than the evidence of an approver which is not
subject to any of those infirmities. Section 30, however, provides that the Court
may take the confession into consideration and thereby, no doubt, makes it
evidence on which the Court may act; but the section does not say that the
confession is to amount to proof. Clearly there must be other evidence. The
confession is only one element in the consideration of all the facts proved in the
case; it can be put into the scale and weighed with the other evidence. The
confession of a co-accused can be used only in support of other evidence and
cannot be made the foundation of a conviction”.
588. The rule is, therefore, established that an accused cannot be convicted
solely on the confession of a co-accused unless it is corroborated by independent
evidence. It is also established that it cannot sufficiently corroborate the evidence
of an accomplice. But this rule has been made subject to an exception in Itiaiiq
Ahmad v. The State (PLD 1958 S.C. 317) . It was held in that case that the view
that the confession of an accomplice does not in any circumstances furnish
sufficient corroboration of the testimony of an approver overlooks the provision
in section 114 of the Evidence Act that while presuming that an accomplice is
unworthy of credit unless he is corroborated in material particulars the Court
shall have regard to facts to be found in the illustration appended to illus. (b) in
considering whether the above maxim does or does not apply to the particular
case before it, The illustration, reads: ‘A crime is committed by several persons. A,
B and C, three of the criminals are captured on the spot and kept apart from each
other. Each gives an account of the crime implicating D and the accounts
corroborate each other in such a manner as to render previous concert highly
improbable’. From this it follows that there are cases in which an account of
crime given by an accused person implicating his co-accused can be taken into
consideration as corroborating the approver.
589. In the present case, this principle could have been safely applied even if
there had been no corroboration in view of the manner in which this offence was
detected by the interrogation and arrest of different persons at different times
obviously arrest of one leading to the next higher in the scale. But in view of the
immensity of the corroborative evidence, direct as well as circumstantial, oral as
well as documentary, it is unnecessary to rely upon the principle. However, this
is a fit case in which the confession can be taken into consideration to give
strength to the evidence of Amir Badshah Khan P.W. 20 and Fazal Ali P.W. 24.
590. This is not only the confession which can be pressed into service for the
above purpose. There are also confessional statements made under section 342
Cr.P.C. Mian Qurban Sadiq Ikram, however, argued that only the statement
under section 164 Cr.P.C. made by the co-accused can be availed of under section
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30 but that section does not apply to statements made before the Court during
the trial. He relied upon, AIR 1923 All. 322 and AIR 1931 Madras 820.
592. In some other cases also the same view was taken. I may, however, take
note of Dial Singh v. Emperor (AIR 1936 Lahore 33). After considering the
established principles of administration of justice it was held that section 30 was
a departure from those principles and the word “proved” should be interpreted
according to the definition of that word given in section 3 of the Evidence Act
and confessional statement of an accused made on question put to him under
section 342 Cr. P.C. is, therefore, covered by section 30 of the Evidence Act. The
definition of the word “proved” in section 3 of the Evidence Act is as follows :-
“A fact is said to be proved when, after considering the matter before it, the Court
either believes it to exist, or considers ‘ its existence so probable that a prudent
man ought, under the circumstances of the particular case, to act upon the
supposition that it exists.”
”If a confession is made before the Court itself it ‘is a matter before it’ and the
Court must believe it to exist. It must, therefore, be said to be ‘proved’. A fact can
be proved not only by ‘evidence’ as defined in S. 3, Evidence Act, but also by other
matters before the Court. A confession recorded by the Court itself would not be
‘evidence’, but would be a ‘matter before the Court.* * ** the language of S. 30,
Evidence Act, does not justify a distinction between a confession made by an
accused person before the trial and in the course of the trial. A confession made
before the Court even at the close of the case for prosecution can, therefore, be said
to be a confession ‘proved’ within the meaning of S. 30, Evidence Act.”
593. The statements under section 342 can also therefore, be taken into
consideration. They confer added strength to the corroboration furnished by the
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witnesses to the statement of Ghulam Hussain approver against Mian
Muhammad Abbas.
594. The next question is whether any and what offence has been committed
by each of the accused. The cases of the three confessing accused may be taken
up together. They confessed all the facts on which the charges under different
sections of the Pakistan Penal Code are based but they raised a plea of not guilty
on the doctrine of duress, superior order, and loss of will as a result of brain
washing.
596. They also pleaded that they belonged to a disciplined force and were
under oath to be loyal to the Government of Pakistan. They were bound to obey
all orders whether lawful or unlawful. Their learned counsel referred to section 3
(f) of the Federal Security Force Act which compels a new entrant to the force to
subscribe to an oath prescribed in the Second Schedule but the oath administered
to the accused was a different oath. The accused summoned Abdul Majid D.S.P.
(D.W. 4) to produce their oaths subscribed to by them at the time of their entry
into the force. But no such document was available on the record. The only oath
of Ghulam Mustafa which was on his personal file was dated the 31st December,
1974, when he was actually recruited to the force on the 1st June, 1973. Similarly
the oath of Arshad lqbal on his personal file was made on the 9th November,
1973, though he was recruited as Foot Constable on the 19th March, 1973.
597. The learned counsel inferred from this that the oath which must have been
signed at the time of the initiation of the accused in the F.S.F. has been removed
from the file. He further argued that even the oath on record is not an oath in
accordance with the Second Schedule, the distinction being that the oath
provided by law is of loyalty to Pakistan (as a State) while the oath in Urdu
claimed loyalty to the Government of Pakistan and bound the person signing the
oath to obey all orders of the superiors or orders emanating from the
Government through their superiors, whether lawful or unlawful.
598. I do not agree that the Act compelled the accused to obey even unlawful
orders. Section 9 and 12 of the Act make particular reference to lawful orders.
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The oath signed by the accused must be interpreted in the context of the above
provisions of law.
599. These pleas cannot, therefore, absolve these accused of their liability in the
crime. The plea of superior orders does not help the accused in view of the
language of the Federal Security Force Act which makes it their duty to obey and
carry out only lawful orders. Para. 27 of Halsburry’s Law of England, Volume II
(Fourth Edition) deals with this question and states the law as follows :
“The fact that a criminal act is done in obedience to the order of a duly constituted
superior, whether civil or military, does not of itself excuse the doer of the act. A
person, acting under superior orders which he carries out in good faith may,
however, lack the element required for criminal liability.”
600. A. V. Dicey writes at page 303 in ‘An introduction to the study of the Law
of the Constitution’ (Tenth Edition)
“A soldier is bound to obey any lawful order which he receives from his military
superior. But a soldier cannot any more than a civilian avoid responsibility for
breach of the law by pleading that he broke the law in bona fide obedience to the
orders (say of the Commander-in-Chief.”
L.C. Greene in his book ‘Law and Society’ has discussed case law of various
countries including the United States and then summed up at page 426 that
“most systems of Criminal Law rejected the idea that an accused can avoid
liability by pleading ignorance of the law or that he was complying with the
order of an hierarchic superior who, he had presumed, knew what the law is.”
The Army Act in Pakistan in its section 32 enforces obedience of lawful orders
only.
601. The question whether the defence of duress is open to a person who is
accused as a principal in the second degree (aider and abetter) was considered by
the House of Lords in Lynch v. Director of Public Prosecution for Northern
Ireland (1975) 1 All E. R. 913). It was held by a majority of the noble Lords (Lord
Simon of Glaisdale and Lord Killerandon dissenting) that such defence could be
taken by the accused i.e. that he had carried out the acts constituting the alleged
offence under the threat of death or serious bodily injury, as a defence to the
charge. Although the matter was left open but observations were made in favour
of denial of such a defence to the actual killer. It is stated in the speech of Lord
Morris of Borth-Y-Gest that “writers on criminal law have generally recorded
that whatever may be the extent to which the law has recognised duress as a
defence it has not been recognised as a defence to a charge of murder”. The
reason, as Hale said (see Pleading of the Crown 1800, Volume I, page 51) is that a
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person “ought rather to die himself, than kill an innocent” or as stated in
Attorney General v. Whelan (1934) I.R. 518), “the commission of murder is a
crime so heinous that murder should not be committed even for the price of life.”
602. The judgment in Lynch’s case came up for consideration before the Privy
Council on an appeal from Trinidad in Abbot v. The Queen (1976) 3 All E.R. 140)
on the question of relevancy of duress as a defence in case of a principal in the
first degree. The defence was rejected (Lord Wilberforce and Lord Edmund
Davies dissenting) and Lynch’s case distinguished. Lord Salmon observed
“It seems incredible to their Lordships that in any civilized society, acts such as
the appellant’s whatever threats may have been made to him, could be regarded as
excusable or within the law. We are not living in a dream world in which the
mounting wave of violence and terrorism can be contained by strict logic and
intellectual niceties alone.”
His Lordship also made observations about the unsatisfactory state of law
relating to duress and the view that on a plea of duress succeeding, the offence of
murder he reduced to man-slaughter. This will appear from the following
“There is much to be said for the view that on a charge of murder, duress, like
provocation, should not entitle the accused to a clean acquittal but should reduce
murder to manslaughter and thus give the Court power to pass whatever sentence
might be appropriate in all the circumstances of the case.”
603. The same is the purport of section 94 of the Pakistan Penal Code which
excepts murder from the category of offences to which duress can be pleaded
successfully as a defence. It cannot, therefore, be accepted that the confessing
accused have committed no offence. All the offences with which they are
charged are proved against them. They have acted like hired assassins. No case is
made out by them for award of lesser sentence.
604. Mian Qurban Sadiq Ikram argued that since the conspiracy was only to
kill Ahmad Raza Kasuri but he had escaped, the two contesting accused could at
most be convicted under section 120-B and section 307 read with section 109 PPC.
Only the actual killers can be convicted under section 301 PPC.
605. The argument is without force. The offence of criminal conspiracy is itself
a substantive offence which is committed as soon as the agreement to do an
unlawful act is made. It is immaterial whether the actus reus is executed. The
offence committed in the course of performance of the unlawful act becomes the
responsibility of the initial conspirators on the principle of their being abettors,
since abetment though a separate offence is also one of the ingredients of
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criminal conspiracy in section 120-A and will attract the provisions of section 111
PPC which provides :-
“When an act is abetted and different act is done, the abettor is liable for the act done, in
the same manner and to the same extent as if he had directly abetted it;
Provided the act done was a probable consequence of the abetment, and was committed
under the influence of the instigation, or with the aid or in pursuance of the conspiracy
which constituted the abetment.”
606. Just as an actual killer is liable under section 301 PPC by killing another
person instead of the one intended to be killed, so a person abetting the murder
of the person intended to be murdered will be liable for offence under section 301
read with section 111 and 109 PPC. There is no substance in the argument.
607. The learned counsel lastly pleaded for the lesser sentence of Mian
Muhammad Abbas on the grounds of sickness, old age and service under a hard
task master like Masood Mahmud. Reference in support of this last proposition
that Masood Mahmud was a hard task master was made to the evidence of,
Welch P.W. 4.
608. This submission is not tenable. He is the person who supervised the entire
operation, selected the assassins and supplied arms to them for the commission
of the heinous offence. It would amount to miscarriage of justice if the normal
sentence of death is not imposed upon hip.
609. The principal accused is the arch culprit having a motive in the matter. He
has used the members of the Federal Security Force for personal vendetta and for
satisfaction of an urge in him to avenge himself upon a person whom considered
his enemy. For his own personal ends he has turned those persons into criminals
and hired assassins and thus corrupted them.
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ideology he would bring himself to believe in that ideology and test his firmness
in that belief. Before presuming his ability to guarantee to the citizens the
enjoyment of the protection of law and their treatment in accordance with law he
would be a believer and a true adherent of law. He would consider himself to be
as much subject to law as he would wish others to be. A person who considers
the Constitution and the law as the handmaid of his polity is neither qualified to
be elected to the high office of the Prime Minister nor can ever be true to his Oath.
611. It is, as is clear from the oath of the Prime Minister as prescribed in the
Constitution, a constitutional requirement that the Prime Minister of Pakistan
must be a Muslim and a believer inter alia in the total requirements and
teachings of the Holy Quran and the Sunnah. He should not be a Muslim only in
name who may flout with impunity his oath without caring for its ugly
consequences and terrible results, and treat the Constitution and the law as a
source of unlimited power for himself which may satisfy his own inane craving
for self aggrandizement and perpetuation of his rule. Such a person, in all
probabilities, would destroy the very oasis of the Constitution and the law which
he is sworn to uphold.
612. Islam does not believe in the creation of privileged classes. It believes in
the equality before law of all-ruler and governed alike. It is opposed to all types
of class distinction. Even the Caliph, the king, the Prime Minister or the President,
by whatever name the ruler may be called, is as much subject to the law of the
land as any ordinary citizen. Islam is opposed to the establishment of church or
priesthood. It does not recognize any distinction between divine laws governed
by priests and secular law administered by a secular Government. In this context
the proclamation of the Holy Prophet ana basharummislokum is not only a
refutation of divinity of any man but also acknowledgement of his subjection to
all laws. By acknowledging himself to be a man like others he has preached the
equality of all mankind as well as their equality before divine law. An apt
illustration of equality before law in Islam is furnished by the oration of the first
Caliph on his election to the Caliphate. He said that though appointed ruler of
the people, he was no better than his people. The people ought to assist him in
the just and upright performance of his duties but they should criticise him for
his wrong actions. He directed them to obey him only for so long as he himself
obeyed (the laws laid down by) Allah and the Prophet. They were free not to
obey him if he himself was found to disobey Allah and his Prophet.
613. There can be no better illustration of equality before law. Equality before
law and justice are corner-stones of Islamic polity and they were emphasised by
the first Caliph who was one of the first believers and was distinguished not only
for his piety and close intimacy with the Holy Prophet but also his
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understanding of the true letter and spirit of the religion. No constitution of the
world in this era of material progress and unprecedented advancement of
knowledge and democratic ideas can provide such example of liberty to disobey
the illegal orders of a ruler without any fear of reprisal and of the right to
impeach and depose a ruler for his disobedience of law. Freedom from obedience
of a sinful order is approved by Sunnah also. (Muslim 341, 342, 343) .
614. There are definite legislative injunctions in the Holy Quran against slaying
save in the course of justice (vi: 152, xvii: 33 also see iv: 29, 93 and v: 32). The
words “save in the course of justice” definitely point out the prohibition against
slaying being equally applicable to persons whose duty is to administer justice or
to arrange for administration of justice.
616. It was observed in Muhammad Sharif v. Muhammad. (PLD 1976 S.C. 452)
“No doubt having regard to the sanctity of human life and liberty the law has
taken all conceivable precautions to safeguard it. The Law of Evidence and in
particular the rules of admissibility including confessions made before a person or
an authority, the rule of placing the onus on the prosecution, conceding to the
accused the liberty of a privileged liar the Court’s responsibility to spell out
reasonable existence of an un-repealed defence, if warranted by the facts and
circumstances of the ease and above all the golden rule of giving the benefit of
doubt to the accused are measures aimed at the protection of human life against
false implication and undeserved punishment. The matter does not end with the
finality of judicial proceedings as the executive has also been invested with the
power to meet the failures of legal justice and undo the mischief found to have
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been done by it. As equally important aspect of this sanctity of human life often
lost sight of is that once conviction is finally upheld the deliberate extinction of
life is visited with the normal penalty of death which is not confined to the actual
killer but is also extended to the other co-accused sharing the community of
intention as the case may be and found to be constructively liable. The principal
object behind this obviously is to avoid repetition of violent loss of life by award of
deterrent punishment.”
618. All the offences with which the accused are charged are thus proved to the
hilt. It is also proved that the conspiracy to murder Ahmad Raza Kasuri did not
end with the death of Nawab Muhammad Ahmad Khan but continued even
thereafter. Since the object to assassinate Ahmad Raza Kasuri was not fulfilled,
the case of punishment of conspiracy is governed by section 120-B read with the
first part of section 115 PPC.
619. I convict Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Mian Muhammad Abbas and Ghulam
Mustafa accused under section 120-B PPC, 302 PPC read with section 301 PPC
and sections 109 and 111 PPC and section 307 PPC read with section 109 PPC. I
further convict Arshad lqbal and Rana Iftikhar Ahmad accused under section
120-B PPC, section 302 PPC read with section 301 PPC and section 34 PPC and
section 307 PPC read with section 34 PPC.
620. I sentence all the five accused persons underr section 120-B PPC read with
section 115 PPC to rigorous imprisonment for a period of 5 years each. I sentence
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Mian Muhammad Abbas and Ghulam Mustafa accused
under section 302 PPC read with sections 301, 109 and 111 PPC to death. I also
sentence Arshad Iqbal and Rana Iftikhar Ahmad accused under section 302 PPC
read with section 301 PPC and section 34 PPC to death. All these five accused
shall be hanged by the neck till they are dead. I further sentence Zulfikar Ali
Bhutto, Mian Muhammad Abbas and Ghulam Mustafa accused under section
307 PPC read with section 109 PPC to rigorous imprisonment for 7 years each. I
sentence Arshad Iqbal and Rana Iftikhar Ahmad under section 307 PPC read
with section 34 PPC to rigorous imprisonment for a period of 7 years each.
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto shall also pay a sum of Rs. 25,000/- as compensation under
section 544-A Cr. P.C. or in default undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period
of 6 months. The compensation amount if recovered shall be paid to the heirs of
Nawab Muhammad Ahmad Khan deceased. The sentences of imprisonment
under each head shall be concurrent, and these sentences as also the sentence to
be undergone in default shall be effective in case the sentence of death is
commuted.
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621. I have ordered only Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to pay the compensation because
the offence was committed on his order.
622. Each accused has been furnished with a copy of the judgment and has
been informed that as per Article 150 of the Limitation Act he can file an appeal
to the Supreme Court within 7 days from today.
623. Before closing this case I would like to thank Mr. M. A. Rahman and Mr.
Ejaz Hussain Batalvi, learned Special Public Prosecutors and Mr. Qurban Sadiq
Ikram and Mr. Irshad Ahmad Qureshi for the assistance rendered by them to us
in this trial. I wish I could have said the same thing about the learned counsel
who appeared for the principal accused. I entertain great respect for the members
of the Bar but it is unfortunate that the behavior of a certain member of the Bar
has throughout the period he conducted this case, been arrogant and insulting to
the Court despite all indulgence shown to him. The Court started the case in the
morning according to his convenience and rose before time when he gave the
slightest hint of inconvenience to himself. Copies of documents which were not
required by law to be supplied to him were given to him whenever demanded.
The Special Public Prosecutors were requested by the Court to cooperate with
him and give him advance information about the name of the witness or
witnesses to be examined on a particular day. He was thus fully accommodated.
624. No doubt the counsel has to discharge his duty towards his client but he
has also some duties towards the Court, which he cannot perform by aligning
himself with his client. Yet this was done by the counsel. He aligned himself with
his client completely and adopted his attitude. I hope that the learned counsel
might be having second thoughts and mentally reviewing his conduct and
regretting it.
625. The conduct of the principal accused has already been reviewed briefly.
He had been hurling threats as well as insults on us and at times had been
unruly. In addition, he has proved himself to be a compulsive liar. He was
allowed thrice to dictate his statement directly to the typist and he dictated 9
pages on the 25th January, 1978, more than 11 pages on the 28th January, 1978,
and about 11 pages again on 7th February, 1978 without the least interference by
the Court. All the three statements are full of repetition of false and scurrilous
allegations against the Court. The first two statements were made, although they
were absolutely irrelevant, in answer to questions under section 342 and the last
statement was allowed to be dictated after the close of the defence evidence
when all legal avenues for the making of such statement before Court were
legally closed and yet he came out with allegations that the statements were not
fully recorded.
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626. Out of the five accused he is the only person who has been leveling all
sorts of imaginary and false allegations against the Court. Mr. Qurban Sadiq
Ikram on the other hand thanked the Court profusely on his own behalf as well
as on behalf of his client for the patient hearing and fair and full opportunity
given to his client for his defence. He also thanked the learned Special Public
Prosecutors for their cooperation in this respect.
627. This trial has revealed the flaws in our law to deal with a recalcitrant party
like the principal accused. The Law of Contempt which empowers the Court to
sentence the contemner to simple imprisonment is of little value in a case where
the contemner is an under trial prisoner in a murder case. It is time that
necessary legislation be passed to remove this flaw.
Announced.
(Sd/-) Mushtaq Hussain
18.3.78
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