The Supreme Court on Thursday granted a plea to shift Daniel Pearl murder accused Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh to Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore.
A three-member bench, headed by Justice Umar Ata Bandial, is hearing petitions against the release of the accused in the murder case. The bench directed the Punjab chief secretary to appear before the court on next date of hearing.
An additional advocate general stated before the court that the accused moved a plea requesting the apex court to order shifting him to the Punjab.
Observing that the court is not satisfied with the continued detention of Omar Sheikh and other accused despite their acquittal in the murder case, Justice Bandial instructed the government to provide all facilities to them.
The AG told the court that the provincial government has decided to lodge the accused in jail employees’ colony. He submitted that if Omar Sheikh was shifted to a rest house, the government would have to seek the help of Rangers and Army.
Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, a member of the bench, questioned when the accused will be shifted to Punjab, to which, the AG submitted that he will be shifted within a week.
The court directed the government to provide all health facilities to the accused who, according to his lawyer, is unwell and needs treatment. The court called for compliance reports to be submitted in the judges’ chamber for perusal.
The court adjourning the hearing for two weeks.
