Better prison facilities for Sharif

ISLAMABAD, Nov 29 (PTI) — An anti-terrorism court today barred former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and others charged with treason and hijacking as also the government from making political statements and allowed the deposed premier and a co-defendant better prison facilities.

Judge Rehmat Hussain Jaffri in Karachi also declared unlawful speculative reporting and statements attacking the character or conduct of anyone involved in the case.

In a related development, former Director-General of Civil Aviation Ameenulah Choudhury, who turned approver against Mr Sharif and other accused in the hijacking case, has been released, domestic Inter-News Agency quoting police officials reported.

"He has been released and is staying with his family under security arrangements," it quoted the officials as saying.

Imposing the ban, at a request from Attorney-General Raja Qureshi, the Judge observed that such statements "are harmful to the proceedings" of the case. Mr Sharif’s lawyers supported Mr Qureshi on his request.

The Judge also granted Mr Sharif and his co-accused and former adviser on Sind affairs Ghaus Ali Shah ‘A’ class facilities in the jail which would enable them to have food from home, a personal attendant and a television set.

After the prosecution and defence agreed that both sides would refrain from making political statements, Mr Qureshi expressed willingness to throw the trial open to the media.

The Advocate-General submitted that the government wanted "transparent proceedings" and, "we will invite national and international media and diplomats when trial commences".

Counsel for Sharif Khwaja Salman Ahmed, while agreeing to the proposal on speculative reporting, raised to a press statement by the Governor of Sind a couple of days ago and urged that the prosecution and government be restrained from character assassination of the accused.

Governor M. Azim Daudpota was quoted as saying that it was better that Mr Sharif’s weight had reduced otherwise he would have suffered a heart attack and now he looked like a "handsome Kashmiri youth".

After the Advocate-General requested the court to define the parameters for covering the case by the media, the court asked him to suggest some formula.

Mr Sharif along with six other accused, including brother Shahbaz Sharif, had been provided ‘B’ class facilities in the jail so far.

Meanwhile, family members of Mr Sharif allegedly attacked policemen guarding their house accusing them of harassing the women.

The incident occurred yesterday when police personnel guarding the Model Town residence of Mr Sharif in Lahore demanded to check a vehicle in which two nieces of the former Premier were driving out.

Sharif appears in treason court

KARACHI, Nov 29 (AFP) — Ousted Pakistani Premier Nawaz Sharif and six co-accused, including his brother, appeared before a Judicial Magistrate today to hear witness statements against them in their conspiracy to murder case.

Mr Sharif, his brother Shahbaz Sharif and five other senior officials are accused of treason, conspiracy to murder and hijacking a plane. They face the death penalty, if convicted.

Witnesses said all accused were brought to the court in armoured vehicles as hundreds of paramilitary troops and policemen armed with automatic weapons stood on guard inside and outside the building.

One of the accused officials, former Director-General of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Ameenullah Choudhary has already agreed to testify against Mr Sharif.

The former Premier and the other accused are due to be charged by prosecutors on Saturday at an anti-terrorism court. The former Premier has described the case as a "concocted story" and a personal vendetta of army ruler, Gen Musharraf.

Mr Choudhary, who was pardoned after he turned star witness against Mr Sharif, confessed that Sharif ordered him not to let a plane carrying Gen Musharraf and nearly 200 other passengers land at Karachi on October 12, the day of the coup.

Meanwhile, domestic Inter News Agency said today quoting police officials, that Mr Choudhary had been released. He has been released and is staying with his family under security arrangements", a top police official said.