Judge himself typing verdict

ISLAMABAD, APRIL 5. The judge of the Anti-Terrorism Court in Karachi, Mr. Justice Rehmat Hussain Jafri, is maintaining a strict secrecy about the judgment he is to deliver tomorrow in the case against the deposed Pakistan Prime Minister, Mr. Nawaz Sharif, and merely states that ``the judgment would be entirely on merit''.

Commenting on reports in a Sindhi newspaper, the judge said he himself was typing the judgment and no one was associated with it.

Newspapers in the country are preparing to bring out special supplements and Pakistan Television and Radio Pakistan have made special arrangements to announce the judgment in detail.

Sharif wife's charge

Mr. Sharif's wife, Begum Kulsoom Nawaz, has asked the Supreme Court to take notice of the Chief Executive, Gen. Pervez Musharraf's remarks during his recent tour abroad in which he reportedly stated that the court would announce the judgment and the President would hear Mr. Sharif's mercy appeal.

By saying so, Gen. Musharraf had announced the court verdict against her husband as a mercy petition could only be filed against a death sentence, she said.

At a press conference in Lahore, Begum Kulsoom said, Gen. Musharraf's statement amounted to interference in court affairs and therefore, a contempt of court. She said, her husband was innocent and the army took over the Government 10 minutes after the appointment of Gen. Ziauddin Butt as the Chief of Army Staff and the plane hijacking drama took place after the takeover.

Tight security

Tight security has been enforced with police and paramilitary troops being positioned in and around the court.

Police commandos and troops would be posted along the road between the Landhi jail, where the accused are lodged on the outskirts of Karachi, and the court building, officials here said.

The Government has already imposed a ban on public rallies and meetings and has warned Mr. Sharif's supporters against holding street protests when the verdict is announced.

- UNI, PTI

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Section  : International
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