Britain seeks explanations over escape of Rashid Rauf, 3-member committee formed to probe incident
December 19, 2007
ISLAMABAD: Expressing concern over escape of Rashid Rauf, the alleged mastermind of the London terror plot, Britain has sought immediate explanation in this regard.
According to details, Laura Davies a spokesperson of British High Commission in her statement said that Britain want immediate explanation regarding the escape of Rashid Rauf from the police custody.
Meanwhile, the Spokesperson of the Interior Ministry, Brig (retd), Javed Iqbal Cheema while talking to a US News Agency said that the police is searching Rashid Rauf and after his escape two police officials were also detained and interrogation from them is underway.
He informed that a 3-member inquiry committee comprised on police and officials of the Interior Ministry has been formed to probe the incident.
The Committee would submit its inquiry report within 48 hours, he added.
The lawyer of Rashid Rauf, Hashmat Habib while terming the incident a mysterious one, claimed that it is the possibility that the officials not to want to handover him to the Britain. It was impossible for Rashid Rauf to escape from strict police custody, he added.
Rashid Rauf, the alleged mastermind of the London terror plot was brought to Islamabad district courts from Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi on Saturday. On the way back to jail while benefiting the darkness Rashid Rauf escaped from the custody of the police.
The officials detained two police personnel while registered case of negligence against three police officials.
Source told Online that the inquiry committee which headed by Additional Secretary Interior Qazi Imtiaz comprised on Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Amir Ahmed Khan and Director FIA Mirza Yasin Baig.
The Committee would present the report to the Interior Ministry and also likely to present to President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Muhammadmian Soomro.
Online News : Britain seeks explanations over escape of Rashid Rauf, 3-member committee formed to probe incident
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Glamsham Monitor : Mahunt begins for escaped British suspect
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Mahunt begins for escaped British suspect
Karachi | December 18. 2007
Pakistani authorities said Sunday that they had launched a manhunt for a suspect in an alleged plot to blow up trans-Atlantic jetliners who escaped from police custody a day earlier under murky circumstances.
Senior Pakistani officials did not confirm the escape of Rashid Rauf, a Briton of Pakistani origin, until nearly 24 hours after he fled Saturday.
He was reportedly able to pick the lock on his handcuffs and overcome his guards after appearing in court in the capital, Islamabad, LA Times reported. Rauf's escape was a blow because of his value as a source of intelligence and evidence in the court case against the accused airline plotters, a British anti-terrorism official said Sunday.
Two Western diplomats in Pakistan, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the official Pakistani account of Rauf's alleged escape was incomplete and contained contradictions on key points. That, they said, could fuel suspicions of official complicity in the getaway.
The escape came as Britain was seeking Rauf's extradition in a separate case involving a 2002 slaying in Birmingham, after Pakistani courts dropped terrorism charges against him. Officials said Rauf, arrested in Pakistan in August 2006, had been expected to be sent back to Britain soon.
The British High Commission said it had requested a full accounting of the events surrounding Rauf's escape. Britain's relations with President Pervez Musharraf's government have been strained over his declaration of emergency rule last month. That led to Pakistan's suspension last month by the Commonwealth, a group made up mainly of former British colonies.
Pakistan's caretaker interior minister, Hamid Nawaz, briefed British officials on the case, the Interior Ministry said. Kamal Shah, the ministry's No. 2 official, said Sunday that it was unclear whether Rauf managed to flee from the court complex after his hearing or after he and guards had left for the jail in Rawalpindi, next to Islamabad.
Special security teams in several areas of the country had been assigned to track Rauf down, Shah said. "We are doing our best to re-arrest him," said a ministry spokesman. Lower-ranking Pakistani officials first reported the escape Saturday. They said two police officers who had been guarding Rauf had been suspended and were being questioned.
Rauf was initially described by investigators as a mastermind of the alleged plot to use liquid explosives to blow up airliners en route from Britain to the United States, but officials later backed off on the magnitude of his role.
The uncovering of the alleged airline plot triggered a worldwide security alert and was responsible for the new tight restrictions on liquid items allowed in carry-on luggage. Rauf had been fighting extradition in the 2002 murder case, which was unrelated to the airline plot. His lawyer, Hashmat Habib, suggested to Pakistani reporters that Pakistani authorities had been reluctant to hand him over to Britain.
In the months that the alleged bombing scheme was taking shape, Rauf helped the British plotters reach Pakistani training camps, British and U.S. investigators said. He is also suspected of serving as a liaison to masterminds in Pakistan who oversaw what is considered the most ambitious Al Qaeda plot since Sept. 11.
British investigators wanted to use the extradition for the murder case as a way to get Rauf back to Britain. Once extradited, he would have been tried first on the murder charges, but police intended to subject him to a thorough interrogation about the airline plot, the counter-terrorism official said.
Pakistani agents interrogated Rauf for at least four days after his arrest, but the statements he made are viewed with caution because of the possibility that they were obtained through torture, the official said. British investigators wanted to question him on British soil to ensure that the evidence would not be perceived as tainted in any way, the official said.
Rauf's case was a source of friction between the U.S. and Britain at the time of his arrest. Although British and American investigators worked closely together, British detectives initially resisted U.S. pressure for Rauf's capture, preferring to continue a massive surveillance operation involving two dozen suspects to gather more evidence.
But U.S. counter-terrorism agents pushed Pakistan to make the arrest, officials say. Word of Rauf's capture spurred the plotters in Britain to speed up their preparations and British police decided to round up the suspects.
At the time of the arrests, the plotters were weeks away from attempting the attack, which would have targeted half a dozen planes and could have matched the bloodshed of Sept. 11, U.S. and British counter-terrorism officials said.
Karachi | December 18. 2007
Pakistani authorities said Sunday that they had launched a manhunt for a suspect in an alleged plot to blow up trans-Atlantic jetliners who escaped from police custody a day earlier under murky circumstances.
Senior Pakistani officials did not confirm the escape of Rashid Rauf, a Briton of Pakistani origin, until nearly 24 hours after he fled Saturday.
He was reportedly able to pick the lock on his handcuffs and overcome his guards after appearing in court in the capital, Islamabad, LA Times reported. Rauf's escape was a blow because of his value as a source of intelligence and evidence in the court case against the accused airline plotters, a British anti-terrorism official said Sunday.
Two Western diplomats in Pakistan, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the official Pakistani account of Rauf's alleged escape was incomplete and contained contradictions on key points. That, they said, could fuel suspicions of official complicity in the getaway.
The escape came as Britain was seeking Rauf's extradition in a separate case involving a 2002 slaying in Birmingham, after Pakistani courts dropped terrorism charges against him. Officials said Rauf, arrested in Pakistan in August 2006, had been expected to be sent back to Britain soon.
The British High Commission said it had requested a full accounting of the events surrounding Rauf's escape. Britain's relations with President Pervez Musharraf's government have been strained over his declaration of emergency rule last month. That led to Pakistan's suspension last month by the Commonwealth, a group made up mainly of former British colonies.
Pakistan's caretaker interior minister, Hamid Nawaz, briefed British officials on the case, the Interior Ministry said. Kamal Shah, the ministry's No. 2 official, said Sunday that it was unclear whether Rauf managed to flee from the court complex after his hearing or after he and guards had left for the jail in Rawalpindi, next to Islamabad.
Special security teams in several areas of the country had been assigned to track Rauf down, Shah said. "We are doing our best to re-arrest him," said a ministry spokesman. Lower-ranking Pakistani officials first reported the escape Saturday. They said two police officers who had been guarding Rauf had been suspended and were being questioned.
Rauf was initially described by investigators as a mastermind of the alleged plot to use liquid explosives to blow up airliners en route from Britain to the United States, but officials later backed off on the magnitude of his role.
The uncovering of the alleged airline plot triggered a worldwide security alert and was responsible for the new tight restrictions on liquid items allowed in carry-on luggage. Rauf had been fighting extradition in the 2002 murder case, which was unrelated to the airline plot. His lawyer, Hashmat Habib, suggested to Pakistani reporters that Pakistani authorities had been reluctant to hand him over to Britain.
In the months that the alleged bombing scheme was taking shape, Rauf helped the British plotters reach Pakistani training camps, British and U.S. investigators said. He is also suspected of serving as a liaison to masterminds in Pakistan who oversaw what is considered the most ambitious Al Qaeda plot since Sept. 11.
British investigators wanted to use the extradition for the murder case as a way to get Rauf back to Britain. Once extradited, he would have been tried first on the murder charges, but police intended to subject him to a thorough interrogation about the airline plot, the counter-terrorism official said.
Pakistani agents interrogated Rauf for at least four days after his arrest, but the statements he made are viewed with caution because of the possibility that they were obtained through torture, the official said. British investigators wanted to question him on British soil to ensure that the evidence would not be perceived as tainted in any way, the official said.
Rauf's case was a source of friction between the U.S. and Britain at the time of his arrest. Although British and American investigators worked closely together, British detectives initially resisted U.S. pressure for Rauf's capture, preferring to continue a massive surveillance operation involving two dozen suspects to gather more evidence.
But U.S. counter-terrorism agents pushed Pakistan to make the arrest, officials say. Word of Rauf's capture spurred the plotters in Britain to speed up their preparations and British police decided to round up the suspects.
At the time of the arrests, the plotters were weeks away from attempting the attack, which would have targeted half a dozen planes and could have matched the bloodshed of Sept. 11, U.S. and British counter-terrorism officials said.
The Post : 2 cops remanded over Rashid’s escape
Thursday, December 20, 2007
2 cops remanded over Rashid’s escape
Kaswar Klasra | December 19, 2007
ISLAMABAD: Islamabad police secured six days physical remand of two policemen who were accused of negligence over the escape of Rashid Rauf from an anti-terrorism court on Tuesday.
Margalla police produced both head constables Nawabzada and Adil who were accused of negligence from their professional duties before the anti-terrorism court judge Tuesday.
After initial hearing, the court gave six days physical remand of both the accused.
A high-level meeting was called in the premises of Federal Interior Ministry on Tuesday following President Musharraf's order who sought a detailed report from Interior Minister Hamid Nawaz Khan on the escape incident.
A meeting was held in the premises of Interior Ministry chaired by Interior Minister Hamid Nawaz while attended by Additional Secretary and all of the members of team that constituted earlier to investigate the matter.
Caretaker Interior Minister asked the investigation team to speed up the process considering the matter as an international issue.
However further details of the meeting were not available with this reporter as all of the members who attended the meeting were tight lipped over the issue.
As directed by Federal Interior Ministry, management and authorities of airport security forces were to put their personnel on high red alert in order to avert Rauf's possible escape from the country.
On condition of anonymity, a high ranked officer from Interior Ministry told this reporter that three teams of security personals were sent to Chamman and Torkhum border to keep a check on Rauf's escape to Afghanistan or Iran by road.
Rauf escaped from police custody last Saturday.
Terror charges against him in Pakistan were dropped last month, but the UK wants him extradited in connection with another case, the death of his uncle.
It is also understood that British police want to question him in connection with an alleged plot to blow up transatlantic jets from the UK.
Earlier, Rauf's lawyer said his client's escape was mysterious, suggesting Pakistani authorities may have been reluctant to hand him over to Britain.
Pakistani officials say they have launched a major investigation and are combing the country for him. His arrest in Pakistan in August 2006 prompted a major security alert at airports worldwide.
Kaswar Klasra | December 19, 2007
ISLAMABAD: Islamabad police secured six days physical remand of two policemen who were accused of negligence over the escape of Rashid Rauf from an anti-terrorism court on Tuesday.
Margalla police produced both head constables Nawabzada and Adil who were accused of negligence from their professional duties before the anti-terrorism court judge Tuesday.
After initial hearing, the court gave six days physical remand of both the accused.
A high-level meeting was called in the premises of Federal Interior Ministry on Tuesday following President Musharraf's order who sought a detailed report from Interior Minister Hamid Nawaz Khan on the escape incident.
A meeting was held in the premises of Interior Ministry chaired by Interior Minister Hamid Nawaz while attended by Additional Secretary and all of the members of team that constituted earlier to investigate the matter.
Caretaker Interior Minister asked the investigation team to speed up the process considering the matter as an international issue.
However further details of the meeting were not available with this reporter as all of the members who attended the meeting were tight lipped over the issue.
As directed by Federal Interior Ministry, management and authorities of airport security forces were to put their personnel on high red alert in order to avert Rauf's possible escape from the country.
On condition of anonymity, a high ranked officer from Interior Ministry told this reporter that three teams of security personals were sent to Chamman and Torkhum border to keep a check on Rauf's escape to Afghanistan or Iran by road.
Rauf escaped from police custody last Saturday.
Terror charges against him in Pakistan were dropped last month, but the UK wants him extradited in connection with another case, the death of his uncle.
It is also understood that British police want to question him in connection with an alleged plot to blow up transatlantic jets from the UK.
Earlier, Rauf's lawyer said his client's escape was mysterious, suggesting Pakistani authorities may have been reluctant to hand him over to Britain.
Pakistani officials say they have launched a major investigation and are combing the country for him. His arrest in Pakistan in August 2006 prompted a major security alert at airports worldwide.
The Hindu : A lapse, says Pakistan
Thursday, December 20, 2007
A lapse, says Pakistan
Nirupama Subramanian | December 19, 2007
ISLAMABAD: An embarrassed Pakistan government on Tuesday admitted security lapses in the escape of Rashid Rauf, a British Pakistani arrested in 2006 for his alleged role in the plot to bomb trans-Atlantic planes, and said it hoped to arrest him soon despite the eight-hour lead he got over them.
Mr. Rauf escaped on Saturday evening while he was being taken back to Rawalpindi’s Adiala prison after a bail hearing in the Islamabad district courts. The British government was pushing for his extradition, not in the terror case but for his suspected role in the 2002 murder of his maternal uncle in Birmingham.
According to details emerging in the Pakistani press, he gave the slip to the two policemen escorting him with the help of his uncle. The policemen had to take Mr. Rauf back to prison in a taxi, but willingly accepted the uncle’s offer of a ride in his van.
The policemen agreed to make a food-stop along the way, and then a prayer-stop, which is when uncle and nephew vanished through a back door of the mosque.
The two policemen have been arrested, and an Interior Ministry committee investigating the escape is now reported to be in the process of establishing if the policemen actively helped him to bolt or if they had been negligent.
Caretaker Interior Minister Hamid Nawaz said that the escape was “unfortunate”, and said there had been “security lapses.”
Mr. Rauf was arrested in Pakistan on a British tip-off in August 2006 in connection with the alleged plot to blow up planes leaving Britain for the U.S. Following the arrest, Tony Blair, then British Prime Minister, called President Pervez Musharraf for his assistance in thwarting the plot. Mr. Rauf is married to the sister of Maulana Masood Azhar’s wife. Mr. Azhar is the founder of Jaish-e-Muhammed, a militant group banned in Pakistan.
Nirupama Subramanian | December 19, 2007
ISLAMABAD: An embarrassed Pakistan government on Tuesday admitted security lapses in the escape of Rashid Rauf, a British Pakistani arrested in 2006 for his alleged role in the plot to bomb trans-Atlantic planes, and said it hoped to arrest him soon despite the eight-hour lead he got over them.
Mr. Rauf escaped on Saturday evening while he was being taken back to Rawalpindi’s Adiala prison after a bail hearing in the Islamabad district courts. The British government was pushing for his extradition, not in the terror case but for his suspected role in the 2002 murder of his maternal uncle in Birmingham.
According to details emerging in the Pakistani press, he gave the slip to the two policemen escorting him with the help of his uncle. The policemen had to take Mr. Rauf back to prison in a taxi, but willingly accepted the uncle’s offer of a ride in his van.
The policemen agreed to make a food-stop along the way, and then a prayer-stop, which is when uncle and nephew vanished through a back door of the mosque.
The two policemen have been arrested, and an Interior Ministry committee investigating the escape is now reported to be in the process of establishing if the policemen actively helped him to bolt or if they had been negligent.
Caretaker Interior Minister Hamid Nawaz said that the escape was “unfortunate”, and said there had been “security lapses.”
Mr. Rauf was arrested in Pakistan on a British tip-off in August 2006 in connection with the alleged plot to blow up planes leaving Britain for the U.S. Following the arrest, Tony Blair, then British Prime Minister, called President Pervez Musharraf for his assistance in thwarting the plot. Mr. Rauf is married to the sister of Maulana Masood Azhar’s wife. Mr. Azhar is the founder of Jaish-e-Muhammed, a militant group banned in Pakistan.
Filed under
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by Winter Patriot
on Thursday, December 20, 2007
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The Post : 110 criminals escaped from police custody since 2005
Thursday, December 20, 2007
110 criminals escaped from police custody since 2005
Anwer Hussain Sumra | December 19, 2007
LAHORE: As many as 110 prisoners, notorious criminals, terrorists and ringleaders of various gangs escaped from the police custody during production in courts since 2005.
It is thought provoking what action was taken against the delinquent police officials on account of severe professional negligence and connivance to provide a chance to prisoners to run away.
Among escaped prisoners, eight were under trial in heinous crimes in various jails whereas the remaining 102 were convicted in more than one case by the courts like murder, kidnap, gang rape, kidnap for ransom, dacoity, corruption and terrorism.
It is worth mentioning that one female Nashadar alias Nashada, wife of Shakeel Ahmed, who was handed over to the police by central jail Rawalpindi for the production in the court of judicial magistrate in January 2005 managed to escape while offering bribe to lady police official deployed as to escort her.
Among them, Rashid Rauf is the 110th high profile criminal wanted for an alleged plan to blow up airliners from the UK to the US with liquid explosive who slipped away from police custody on Saturday after appearing in the court. The Police Department did not yet inform the Prisons Department officially about this escape in Islamabad. The Police Department just suspended the official on duty after registering a case under Section 155-C and 223 Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). A high-level committee headed by additional interior secretary was formed to probe into the matter which would submit its report today (Wednesday).
It is noteworthy, that previously all such cases of extradition were tried, invariable inside the jails, in Rashid Rauf case, the Punjab Home Department ordered for his production in the open trial court under police escort which provoked many questions. Among 110 slipped away accused, 39 were escaped in 2005, 30 in 2006 and 41 in current year from the police custody after offering bribe, putting chilies in eyes, serving toxicant food and exchange of fire with the police. Out of total, 14 escaped in Lahore, 10 in Gujranwala, six in Sheikhupura, 10 in Sailkot, 17 in Fasialabad, three in Mianwali, two in Jhang, three in Sargodha, 12 in Rawalpindi, seven in Gujrat, three in Jehlum, five in Multan, six in Bahawalpur, three in Bahawalnagar, three in Muzaffargarh and one each in Kasur, Attock and Dera Ghazi Khan.
According to Pakistan Prisons rules, the superintendent of jail would hand over healthy and sound prisoners to local police on the orders of courts for production in courts. The superintendent of jail after handing over the prisoners to the police escorts have no concern with the prisoners and he is responsible to count all prisoners before receiving back in jail from courts.
According to the Police Rules 1861, it is a key responsibility of the police officials to receive prisoners from jail and produce them in courts handcuffed. They are responsible to provide security to handcuffed prisoners, avoid their mixing in general public and meeting with friends and relatives during production in courts.
An official said the police contingents deployed to perform judicial duty to produce criminals before courts were provided weapons, handcuffs, wireless and jail vans to transport prisoners from jail to various courts.
He said the police contingents deployed to perform such duty had the habit to allow the accused to hold gossips with the friends, relatives while accepting bribe.
Some time these official crossed all the limits and take risk to allow prisoners to take lunch at private places whereas such escape incidents happen.
He said some time the aides of harden criminals forcefully got released accused either during production in courts or on the way after armed clash. In such incidents, the connivance of police officials cannot be ruled out, he said.
In Rashid Rauf case, the superintendent of Adiyala Jail informed the superintendent of police Islamabad in written to make proper security arrangement and deploy escort who could be escaped. The SP Islamabad did not make extraordinary arrangements and the incident took place, he alleged.
A report about the absconders and offenders is as below. Attique-ur-Rehman escaped from session court Lahore, Shafaqat Ali and Wajid Ali from Model Town, Jhangir from Services Hospital Lahore, Naeem, Raheel Shah, Javaid and Amir escaped from lock-up Gujranwala, Zafar Iqbal, Naveed, Abdul Raheed, Muhammad Ayub, Mehboob-ul-Hussain, Amir Sajjad, Muhammad Afzal, Farooq Ahmed, Ishaq, Irfan, Nadeem, Muhammad Akbar, Zafar Hayat, Ali Sher, Mazhar Farooq, Matte Ullah, Muhammad Naveed, Rafique, Sajjad Hussain, Safdar alias Sher Muhammad, Talat Hussain, Mukhtar, Shahid, Nabeel Nadir, Muhammad Khalid javed, Muhammad Arif, Asif, Ijaz, Muhammad Asghar, Aurangzeb, Nashadar alias Nashada, Roomi Khan, Muhammad Ayaz, Manawar, Jahangir Khan, Javed Akhtar, Muhammad Ishafaq, Bilal,, Muhammad Afzaal, ghulam Rababi, Amar Qamar, Nasir Rasheed, Amir Butt, Muhammad Arshad, Muhammad Akram, Muhammad Javaid, Muhammad Arshad, Sultan alias Tani, Mushtaq Ahmed, Muhammad Saleem, Altaf Hussain, Muhammad Aslam, Muhammad Riaz, Mehmood Akram, Saeed Ahmed, Muhammad Bilal, Noroze Khan, Moula Bukhshs, Abdul Ghafoor, Shahid, Munir Ahmed, Aqeel Ahmed, Ijaz, Mian Muhammad Iqbal, Ahmed Khan Shad, Bashir Khan, Namat Ullah, Arif Ali, Ali, Iftikhar Hussain, Muhammad Ishaq, Mudassar, Shabbir Ahmed, Asghar, Muhammad Iqbal, Jahagir Ali, Arshaf, Nazir, Abid, Nazir, Talat, Waqas, Muhammad Mansha, Mubshair, Azadar, Sajjad, Mazhar, Jahangir, Irfan, Zeenat Iman, Javed Iqbal, Jhangir, Jamil Masih, Shahzad alias Sajan, Muhammad Massif, Hakim Khan, Ashraf, Sajid, and Muhammad Iqbal.
According to Section 223, PPC deals with escape form confinement or custody negligently suffered by public servant say "whoever, brings a public servant legally bound as such public servant to keep in confinement any person charged with or convicted of any offence or lawfully committed to custody, negligently suffers such person to escape from confinement, shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine or with both'.
The police normally register cases against the accused police officials after suspending them to put ash on sensitivity of issue. Whereas all such delinquent official were normally re-instated in service by the competent authority by taking lenient view after the matter cools down, no official was awarded exemplary punishment to convey message to colleagues, an official said. Normally, the police register a case under Section 224 against the offenders and his accomplices which is liable punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine or both.
Anwer Hussain Sumra | December 19, 2007
LAHORE: As many as 110 prisoners, notorious criminals, terrorists and ringleaders of various gangs escaped from the police custody during production in courts since 2005.
It is thought provoking what action was taken against the delinquent police officials on account of severe professional negligence and connivance to provide a chance to prisoners to run away.
Among escaped prisoners, eight were under trial in heinous crimes in various jails whereas the remaining 102 were convicted in more than one case by the courts like murder, kidnap, gang rape, kidnap for ransom, dacoity, corruption and terrorism.
It is worth mentioning that one female Nashadar alias Nashada, wife of Shakeel Ahmed, who was handed over to the police by central jail Rawalpindi for the production in the court of judicial magistrate in January 2005 managed to escape while offering bribe to lady police official deployed as to escort her.
Among them, Rashid Rauf is the 110th high profile criminal wanted for an alleged plan to blow up airliners from the UK to the US with liquid explosive who slipped away from police custody on Saturday after appearing in the court. The Police Department did not yet inform the Prisons Department officially about this escape in Islamabad. The Police Department just suspended the official on duty after registering a case under Section 155-C and 223 Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). A high-level committee headed by additional interior secretary was formed to probe into the matter which would submit its report today (Wednesday).
It is noteworthy, that previously all such cases of extradition were tried, invariable inside the jails, in Rashid Rauf case, the Punjab Home Department ordered for his production in the open trial court under police escort which provoked many questions. Among 110 slipped away accused, 39 were escaped in 2005, 30 in 2006 and 41 in current year from the police custody after offering bribe, putting chilies in eyes, serving toxicant food and exchange of fire with the police. Out of total, 14 escaped in Lahore, 10 in Gujranwala, six in Sheikhupura, 10 in Sailkot, 17 in Fasialabad, three in Mianwali, two in Jhang, three in Sargodha, 12 in Rawalpindi, seven in Gujrat, three in Jehlum, five in Multan, six in Bahawalpur, three in Bahawalnagar, three in Muzaffargarh and one each in Kasur, Attock and Dera Ghazi Khan.
According to Pakistan Prisons rules, the superintendent of jail would hand over healthy and sound prisoners to local police on the orders of courts for production in courts. The superintendent of jail after handing over the prisoners to the police escorts have no concern with the prisoners and he is responsible to count all prisoners before receiving back in jail from courts.
According to the Police Rules 1861, it is a key responsibility of the police officials to receive prisoners from jail and produce them in courts handcuffed. They are responsible to provide security to handcuffed prisoners, avoid their mixing in general public and meeting with friends and relatives during production in courts.
An official said the police contingents deployed to perform judicial duty to produce criminals before courts were provided weapons, handcuffs, wireless and jail vans to transport prisoners from jail to various courts.
He said the police contingents deployed to perform such duty had the habit to allow the accused to hold gossips with the friends, relatives while accepting bribe.
Some time these official crossed all the limits and take risk to allow prisoners to take lunch at private places whereas such escape incidents happen.
He said some time the aides of harden criminals forcefully got released accused either during production in courts or on the way after armed clash. In such incidents, the connivance of police officials cannot be ruled out, he said.
In Rashid Rauf case, the superintendent of Adiyala Jail informed the superintendent of police Islamabad in written to make proper security arrangement and deploy escort who could be escaped. The SP Islamabad did not make extraordinary arrangements and the incident took place, he alleged.
A report about the absconders and offenders is as below. Attique-ur-Rehman escaped from session court Lahore, Shafaqat Ali and Wajid Ali from Model Town, Jhangir from Services Hospital Lahore, Naeem, Raheel Shah, Javaid and Amir escaped from lock-up Gujranwala, Zafar Iqbal, Naveed, Abdul Raheed, Muhammad Ayub, Mehboob-ul-Hussain, Amir Sajjad, Muhammad Afzal, Farooq Ahmed, Ishaq, Irfan, Nadeem, Muhammad Akbar, Zafar Hayat, Ali Sher, Mazhar Farooq, Matte Ullah, Muhammad Naveed, Rafique, Sajjad Hussain, Safdar alias Sher Muhammad, Talat Hussain, Mukhtar, Shahid, Nabeel Nadir, Muhammad Khalid javed, Muhammad Arif, Asif, Ijaz, Muhammad Asghar, Aurangzeb, Nashadar alias Nashada, Roomi Khan, Muhammad Ayaz, Manawar, Jahangir Khan, Javed Akhtar, Muhammad Ishafaq, Bilal,, Muhammad Afzaal, ghulam Rababi, Amar Qamar, Nasir Rasheed, Amir Butt, Muhammad Arshad, Muhammad Akram, Muhammad Javaid, Muhammad Arshad, Sultan alias Tani, Mushtaq Ahmed, Muhammad Saleem, Altaf Hussain, Muhammad Aslam, Muhammad Riaz, Mehmood Akram, Saeed Ahmed, Muhammad Bilal, Noroze Khan, Moula Bukhshs, Abdul Ghafoor, Shahid, Munir Ahmed, Aqeel Ahmed, Ijaz, Mian Muhammad Iqbal, Ahmed Khan Shad, Bashir Khan, Namat Ullah, Arif Ali, Ali, Iftikhar Hussain, Muhammad Ishaq, Mudassar, Shabbir Ahmed, Asghar, Muhammad Iqbal, Jahagir Ali, Arshaf, Nazir, Abid, Nazir, Talat, Waqas, Muhammad Mansha, Mubshair, Azadar, Sajjad, Mazhar, Jahangir, Irfan, Zeenat Iman, Javed Iqbal, Jhangir, Jamil Masih, Shahzad alias Sajan, Muhammad Massif, Hakim Khan, Ashraf, Sajid, and Muhammad Iqbal.
According to Section 223, PPC deals with escape form confinement or custody negligently suffered by public servant say "whoever, brings a public servant legally bound as such public servant to keep in confinement any person charged with or convicted of any offence or lawfully committed to custody, negligently suffers such person to escape from confinement, shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine or with both'.
The police normally register cases against the accused police officials after suspending them to put ash on sensitivity of issue. Whereas all such delinquent official were normally re-instated in service by the competent authority by taking lenient view after the matter cools down, no official was awarded exemplary punishment to convey message to colleagues, an official said. Normally, the police register a case under Section 224 against the offenders and his accomplices which is liable punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine or both.
Filed under
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Rashid Rauf
by Winter Patriot
on Thursday, December 20, 2007
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Khaleej Times : Escaped British murder suspect not wanted for terrorism
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Escaped British murder suspect not wanted for terrorism
DPA | December 18, 2007
ISLAMABAD - A British murder suspect who escaped while in Pakistani police custody last weekend, touching off an international media frenzy, is not facing terrorism charges back home relating to a plot to blow up trans-Atlantic commercial jetliners, an official here said Tuesday.
Rashid Rauf, a British citizen of Pakistani origin, is only wanted in connection with the murder of his uncle in Birmingham, England, in 2002, said Aidan Liddle, a press officer at the British High Commission in Islamabad.
He said it was incorrect to refer to Rauf as an escaped terrorism suspect and that an extradition request by the London was only related to the murder case.
‘The extradition was connected with the murder charge. That’s it, really,’ Liddle said.
Rauf escaped from police guards on Saturday afternoon after appearing before a district court judge in Islamabad for a hearing on the extradition request, which his defence attorney is fighting.
His two escorts were detained and were formally charged Tuesday with aiding his escape amid widespread speculation that they were part of the plot.
The guards told their superiors that following the court hearing, they accepted an offer by Rauf’s uncle to drive them back to the Adiala Jail in the nearby city of Rawalpindi in his vehicle, and along the way took them and the prisoner to lunch at a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant near the jail, Shahid Nadeem Baluch, the police chief of Islamabad, told DawnNews TV.
Rauf, who was not handcuffed, was then allowed to say prayers alone inside a nearby mosque, during which time he slipped out a back door and fled, police officials said.
The police conducted several raids on the residences of Rauf’s relatives in Pakistan but did not find him. His uncle, as well as another uncle from Muzaffarabad, the main town in Pakistani-administered Kashmir, were both detained for questioning.
‘We’ve been assured there’s going to be an inquiry but frankly the most important thing is that he’s recaptured,’ Liddle said.
Rauf was arrested in Pakistan in August 2006 on a tip from the British government, which suspected he was part of a plot to blow up several jetliners flying from Britain to the United States. The alleged plot prompted authorities to cancel flights and issue security alerts.
He was originally charged with possessing chemicals that could be used to make explosives and carrying forged documents. The charges were later withdrawn from a Pakistani court, which ordered his release last month.
But the government issued fresh detention orders under a Maintenance of Public Order law to keep holding him for three months while the extradition proceedings continued.
Authorities fear Rauf might have fled to Pakistan’s lawless tribal areas bordering Afghanistan. Police teams have been dispatched to the region to conduct a manhunt.
Rauf’s in-laws are believed to have strong connections with a banned terrorist organization, Jaish-e-Mohammed (The Army of Mohammed), which has close ties with Al Qaeda and Taleban militants.
DPA | December 18, 2007
ISLAMABAD - A British murder suspect who escaped while in Pakistani police custody last weekend, touching off an international media frenzy, is not facing terrorism charges back home relating to a plot to blow up trans-Atlantic commercial jetliners, an official here said Tuesday.
Rashid Rauf, a British citizen of Pakistani origin, is only wanted in connection with the murder of his uncle in Birmingham, England, in 2002, said Aidan Liddle, a press officer at the British High Commission in Islamabad.
He said it was incorrect to refer to Rauf as an escaped terrorism suspect and that an extradition request by the London was only related to the murder case.
‘The extradition was connected with the murder charge. That’s it, really,’ Liddle said.
Rauf escaped from police guards on Saturday afternoon after appearing before a district court judge in Islamabad for a hearing on the extradition request, which his defence attorney is fighting.
His two escorts were detained and were formally charged Tuesday with aiding his escape amid widespread speculation that they were part of the plot.
The guards told their superiors that following the court hearing, they accepted an offer by Rauf’s uncle to drive them back to the Adiala Jail in the nearby city of Rawalpindi in his vehicle, and along the way took them and the prisoner to lunch at a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant near the jail, Shahid Nadeem Baluch, the police chief of Islamabad, told DawnNews TV.
Rauf, who was not handcuffed, was then allowed to say prayers alone inside a nearby mosque, during which time he slipped out a back door and fled, police officials said.
The police conducted several raids on the residences of Rauf’s relatives in Pakistan but did not find him. His uncle, as well as another uncle from Muzaffarabad, the main town in Pakistani-administered Kashmir, were both detained for questioning.
‘We’ve been assured there’s going to be an inquiry but frankly the most important thing is that he’s recaptured,’ Liddle said.
Rauf was arrested in Pakistan in August 2006 on a tip from the British government, which suspected he was part of a plot to blow up several jetliners flying from Britain to the United States. The alleged plot prompted authorities to cancel flights and issue security alerts.
He was originally charged with possessing chemicals that could be used to make explosives and carrying forged documents. The charges were later withdrawn from a Pakistani court, which ordered his release last month.
But the government issued fresh detention orders under a Maintenance of Public Order law to keep holding him for three months while the extradition proceedings continued.
Authorities fear Rauf might have fled to Pakistan’s lawless tribal areas bordering Afghanistan. Police teams have been dispatched to the region to conduct a manhunt.
Rauf’s in-laws are believed to have strong connections with a banned terrorist organization, Jaish-e-Mohammed (The Army of Mohammed), which has close ties with Al Qaeda and Taleban militants.
Daily India : UK seeks explanation, Pak sets up special team to probe Rauf's escape
Thursday, December 20, 2007
UK seeks explanation, Pak sets up special team to probe Rauf's escape
From our ANI Correspondent | December 17, 2007
Islamabad, Dec 17: The Pakistan Government has set up a special team of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the Intelligence Bureau (IB) officials to probe into the escape of terror suspect Rashid Rauf, who allegedly planned to blow up a US-bound trans-Atlantic airliners.
Meanwhile, the British High Commission spokeswoman Laura Davies has on behalf of the UK Government has sought an immediate explanation in this regard.
On Saturday, Rauf, a dual citizen of Britain and Pakistan, escaped from the custody of Pakistan Police when he was brought before a judge at a court in Islamabad for an extradition hearing.
The team would submit its report to Interior Ministry Additional Secretary Imtiaz Qazi within the next four days.
Security agencies on Sunday took Zahoor Ahmed, Rauf's maternal uncle, into custody, said Nasrullah Jaral, nazim of Union Council.
A special police team has been formed to arrest the alleged mastermind of the August 2006 transatlantic aircraft-bombing plot, a Daily Times report said.
According to sources, the team headed by SSP Syed Kaleem Imam is searching for Rauf. Constables Nawabzada and Muhammad Tufail, who were escorting Rauf were arrested and sent to an undisclosed location.
Prison authorities did not give detailed information to the police about who Rauf was and only handful police officers were deployed for his security.
Rauf was detained under 3 MPO and the police treated him as a normal accused.
According to the British media reports, the Pakistani and United Kingdom authorities were trying to swap Rauf for two Baloch Liberation Army members recently detained in London.
Copyright Asian News International
From our ANI Correspondent | December 17, 2007
Islamabad, Dec 17: The Pakistan Government has set up a special team of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the Intelligence Bureau (IB) officials to probe into the escape of terror suspect Rashid Rauf, who allegedly planned to blow up a US-bound trans-Atlantic airliners.
Meanwhile, the British High Commission spokeswoman Laura Davies has on behalf of the UK Government has sought an immediate explanation in this regard.
On Saturday, Rauf, a dual citizen of Britain and Pakistan, escaped from the custody of Pakistan Police when he was brought before a judge at a court in Islamabad for an extradition hearing.
The team would submit its report to Interior Ministry Additional Secretary Imtiaz Qazi within the next four days.
Security agencies on Sunday took Zahoor Ahmed, Rauf's maternal uncle, into custody, said Nasrullah Jaral, nazim of Union Council.
A special police team has been formed to arrest the alleged mastermind of the August 2006 transatlantic aircraft-bombing plot, a Daily Times report said.
According to sources, the team headed by SSP Syed Kaleem Imam is searching for Rauf. Constables Nawabzada and Muhammad Tufail, who were escorting Rauf were arrested and sent to an undisclosed location.
Prison authorities did not give detailed information to the police about who Rauf was and only handful police officers were deployed for his security.
Rauf was detained under 3 MPO and the police treated him as a normal accused.
According to the British media reports, the Pakistani and United Kingdom authorities were trying to swap Rauf for two Baloch Liberation Army members recently detained in London.
Copyright Asian News International
News dot Com (Australia) : Terror suspect escapes from prison van
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Terror suspect escapes from prison van
Article from: Agence France-Presse | From correspondents in Islamabad | December 16, 2007
A BRITISH man suspected of plotting to blow up airliners flying from the UK to the US has escaped from police custody in Pakistan, officials have said.
Pakistan's arrest of British national Rashid Rauf in 2006 sparked a worldwide security alert and 24 people were detained in Britain in a major swoop.
A day after his arrest a massive security alert was clamped on London's Heathrow Airport with mass cancellations of flights for several days over fears of a terrorist attack.
It was alleged the plot involved using liquid explosives, prompting a clampdown on what passengers are allowed to take on international flights.
"Rashid Rauf escaped from police custody and we are making every possible effort to re-arrest him," interior ministry spokesman Brigadier Javed Cheema has said.
Rauf was arrested in central Pakistan in August 2006 and had been behind bars since then.
The 25-year-old was brought before a judge at a court in Islamabad for an extradition hearing when he escaped.
The police chief of Islamabad, Shahid Nadeem Baluch, has said: "The hunt is on to track him down. We have conducted some raids but so far there hasn't been any breakthrough."
The British government had requested Pakistan extradite Rauf to London where he is wanted by police in connection with the murder of his uncle in 2002.
Rauf's lawyer Hashmat Habib has said that his client had disappeared from police custody under "mysterious circumstances".
"Police took my client from Adiala jail Saturday afternoon for a court appearance in nearby Islamabad and now they say he's escaped. It comes at a time when the British government is trying to extradite him. And it all looks very suspicious to me," Mr Habib said.
Islamabad police said they are questioning several policemen who were deployed on guard duty to look after Rauf.
His lawyer has said he was not with him at the time of his disappearance.
A senior Islamabad police official has said on condition of anonymity that prison authorities did not inform them in detail about who Rauf was and only a handful of police officers were deployed for his security.
The senior police officer said: "Soon after the court proceeding as police were escorting him to a prison van he broke free from the handcuffs and ran away."
An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan last December dropped terrorism charges against Rauf relating to the conspiracy to detonate liquid explosives on jets flying from London to the United States.
Its order was suspended when the Punjab government lodged an appeal.
Rauf had then faced charges including impersonation, carrying a fake identity card and fake documents, which he denied.
In April, the Pakistani foreign ministry denied reports that Rauf would be extradited to Britain in exchange for separatist leaders.
There had been media reports in Britain suggesting London's attempts to secure the extradition were stalling because of Pakistani demands.
Rauf was detained under the Security of Pakistan Act, but all charges related to terrorism had been dropped, according to a senior official.
Article from: Agence France-Presse | From correspondents in Islamabad | December 16, 2007
A BRITISH man suspected of plotting to blow up airliners flying from the UK to the US has escaped from police custody in Pakistan, officials have said.
Pakistan's arrest of British national Rashid Rauf in 2006 sparked a worldwide security alert and 24 people were detained in Britain in a major swoop.
A day after his arrest a massive security alert was clamped on London's Heathrow Airport with mass cancellations of flights for several days over fears of a terrorist attack.
It was alleged the plot involved using liquid explosives, prompting a clampdown on what passengers are allowed to take on international flights.
"Rashid Rauf escaped from police custody and we are making every possible effort to re-arrest him," interior ministry spokesman Brigadier Javed Cheema has said.
Rauf was arrested in central Pakistan in August 2006 and had been behind bars since then.
The 25-year-old was brought before a judge at a court in Islamabad for an extradition hearing when he escaped.
The police chief of Islamabad, Shahid Nadeem Baluch, has said: "The hunt is on to track him down. We have conducted some raids but so far there hasn't been any breakthrough."
The British government had requested Pakistan extradite Rauf to London where he is wanted by police in connection with the murder of his uncle in 2002.
Rauf's lawyer Hashmat Habib has said that his client had disappeared from police custody under "mysterious circumstances".
"Police took my client from Adiala jail Saturday afternoon for a court appearance in nearby Islamabad and now they say he's escaped. It comes at a time when the British government is trying to extradite him. And it all looks very suspicious to me," Mr Habib said.
Islamabad police said they are questioning several policemen who were deployed on guard duty to look after Rauf.
His lawyer has said he was not with him at the time of his disappearance.
A senior Islamabad police official has said on condition of anonymity that prison authorities did not inform them in detail about who Rauf was and only a handful of police officers were deployed for his security.
The senior police officer said: "Soon after the court proceeding as police were escorting him to a prison van he broke free from the handcuffs and ran away."
An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan last December dropped terrorism charges against Rauf relating to the conspiracy to detonate liquid explosives on jets flying from London to the United States.
Its order was suspended when the Punjab government lodged an appeal.
Rauf had then faced charges including impersonation, carrying a fake identity card and fake documents, which he denied.
In April, the Pakistani foreign ministry denied reports that Rauf would be extradited to Britain in exchange for separatist leaders.
There had been media reports in Britain suggesting London's attempts to secure the extradition were stalling because of Pakistani demands.
Rauf was detained under the Security of Pakistan Act, but all charges related to terrorism had been dropped, according to a senior official.
Zee News : Two policemen held over Rauf`s escape
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Two policemen held over Rauf`s escape
Bureau Report | December 18, 2007
Islamabad, Dec 18: Two policemen have been arrested over the escape of Rashid Rauf, who was allegedly involved in a plot to blow up us-bound trans-Atlantic flights in Britain last year, as sleuths stepped up hunt for the terror suspect in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The staff of Adiala jail in Rawalpindi, where Rauf (26) was being held after his arrest last year, was also questioned by authorities in connection with his escape on Saturday.
Rauf fled from the custody after his two police guards allowed him to go into a mosque for prayers while being driven in a private car from Islamabad to Adiala jail. He had been brought to the capital for appearing in a court.
The two constables who were escorting Rauf have been arrested along with Rauf's uncle Muhammad Rafiq, who was picked up from Mirpur. Zahoor, another uncle of Rauf, was also arrested in Rawalpindi, officials said.
"We have been able to block the routes to (Pakistan-occupied) Kashmir, the area to which he (Rauf) belongs, and also to the northern areas," said caretaker Interior Minister Hamid Nawaz Khan.
"We have one or two very good leads which we are working on and people who were closely involved in his escape have also been apprehended," Khan told dawn news channel. All exit routes across Pakistan have also been blocked, he said.
Investigators focused on PoK as the family of Rauf, who has been linked to al-Qaeda, belongs to Mirpur town in the region. Some reports also suggested Rauf might try to slip into Afghanistan from the restive northwestern tribal areas.
Asked if he was hopeful that Rauf would be captured soon, Khan said, "yes, this is what I am indicating. But he had a good (head) start of eight-nine hours and that has given him some advantage. If he has gone across (the security) cordon, then it may take a little longer (to capture him)."
The policemen guarding Rauf had agreed to go from Islamabad to Rawalpindi in Rafiq's van instead of traveling in a police vehicle. They permitted Rauf to stop at a Mcdonald's outlet in Rawalpindi where his uncle brought all of them a meal.
The policemen then allowed Rauf and his uncle to stop for prayers in a mosque, and both men slipped out the mosque's back door.
The embarrassment caused by the escape prompted President Pervez Musharraf to seek a report from the Interior Ministry.
Following Rauf's escape, his police guards did not alert their superiors for over five hours and searched for him on their own. Top police officers in Islamabad and Rawalpindi were informed about the incident only at about 9 pm on Saturday.
Rauf, a Briton of Pakistani-origin, is married to a relative of Jaish-e-Mohammed founder Maulana Masood Azhar. A Pakistani court dropped terrorism charges against him but he was accused of possessing bomb-making material and fake travel and identity documents.
Britain has sought Rauf's extradition to question him in connection with the terrorist plot and as a suspect in the murder of his uncle in Birmingham in 2002. Rauf was produced in court on Saturday in connection with Britain's extradition request.
Bureau Report | December 18, 2007
Islamabad, Dec 18: Two policemen have been arrested over the escape of Rashid Rauf, who was allegedly involved in a plot to blow up us-bound trans-Atlantic flights in Britain last year, as sleuths stepped up hunt for the terror suspect in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The staff of Adiala jail in Rawalpindi, where Rauf (26) was being held after his arrest last year, was also questioned by authorities in connection with his escape on Saturday.
Rauf fled from the custody after his two police guards allowed him to go into a mosque for prayers while being driven in a private car from Islamabad to Adiala jail. He had been brought to the capital for appearing in a court.
The two constables who were escorting Rauf have been arrested along with Rauf's uncle Muhammad Rafiq, who was picked up from Mirpur. Zahoor, another uncle of Rauf, was also arrested in Rawalpindi, officials said.
"We have been able to block the routes to (Pakistan-occupied) Kashmir, the area to which he (Rauf) belongs, and also to the northern areas," said caretaker Interior Minister Hamid Nawaz Khan.
"We have one or two very good leads which we are working on and people who were closely involved in his escape have also been apprehended," Khan told dawn news channel. All exit routes across Pakistan have also been blocked, he said.
Investigators focused on PoK as the family of Rauf, who has been linked to al-Qaeda, belongs to Mirpur town in the region. Some reports also suggested Rauf might try to slip into Afghanistan from the restive northwestern tribal areas.
Asked if he was hopeful that Rauf would be captured soon, Khan said, "yes, this is what I am indicating. But he had a good (head) start of eight-nine hours and that has given him some advantage. If he has gone across (the security) cordon, then it may take a little longer (to capture him)."
The policemen guarding Rauf had agreed to go from Islamabad to Rawalpindi in Rafiq's van instead of traveling in a police vehicle. They permitted Rauf to stop at a Mcdonald's outlet in Rawalpindi where his uncle brought all of them a meal.
The policemen then allowed Rauf and his uncle to stop for prayers in a mosque, and both men slipped out the mosque's back door.
The embarrassment caused by the escape prompted President Pervez Musharraf to seek a report from the Interior Ministry.
Following Rauf's escape, his police guards did not alert their superiors for over five hours and searched for him on their own. Top police officers in Islamabad and Rawalpindi were informed about the incident only at about 9 pm on Saturday.
Rauf, a Briton of Pakistani-origin, is married to a relative of Jaish-e-Mohammed founder Maulana Masood Azhar. A Pakistani court dropped terrorism charges against him but he was accused of possessing bomb-making material and fake travel and identity documents.
Britain has sought Rauf's extradition to question him in connection with the terrorist plot and as a suspect in the murder of his uncle in Birmingham in 2002. Rauf was produced in court on Saturday in connection with Britain's extradition request.
The Post : The escape
Thursday, December 20, 2007
The escape
December 18, 2007
The escape of Rashid Rauf, the alleged mastermind of the Trans-Atlantic flights from the UK to the US in August 2006, remains shrouded in mystery despite the Pakistani investigative agencies having singled out the two head constables and Rashid’s uncle for the escape. As a knee-jerk reaction to Rashid’s escape, a special team comprising the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Intelligence Bureau (IB) officials has been formed to arrest Rashid. The team is required to submit its report to the Interior Ministry within the next four days. Rauf, a British of Pakistani origin, succeeded in moving out from the UK in 2002 after the British police accused him of killing one of his relatives in Birmingham. After coming to Pakistan in 2002, Rauf is reported to have married a woman related to Maulana Masood Azhar, the Amir of Jaish-e-Mohammad. In August 2006, Rauf was arrested in Rawalpindi in a combined operation by intelligence agencies and police forces. After registering a case against him under the terrorism act and other acts of fraud, the police sent him to Adiala jail on judicial remand. The prosecution had alleged that Rauf was in possession of 29 bottles of the chemical hydrogen peroxide that could be used to blow up the Trans-Atlantic flights. The Anti Terrorism Court (ATC) dropped terrorism charges against Rauf. The judge had observed that the charges relating to terrorism were not relevant. Rauf still faced charges of impersonation, carrying fake identity card, fake documents, etc. The case was then sent to a civil court.
British officials had been trying to extradite Rauf to the UK for the last few months where Scotland secret police had to question Rauf about the Heathrow plot and his possible links to the 7/7 suicide bombers in London. The government officials had claimed that Rauf’s arrest would lead to the detection of the conspiracy to target jets and that he was linked to al Qaeda.
That Rashid was able to slip out of the police custody at a time when the Pakistan government was considering a request from Britain to extradite him in relation to the 2002 murder case adds to the mystery surrounding the whole issue. The events leading to the escape of Rashid, a high-profile accused, make it unlikely to be a case of “human failure”, as Nisar A Memon, caretaker Information Minister put it the other day. What makes the whole issue suspicious is the fact that over a period of time the level of Rashid’s security had been reduced from 12 police personnel to only two constables. That he was being transported in a private vehicle is another factor that arouses suspicion. Since all the eyes of the international media were focused on Pakistan, the government should have made fool-proof arrangements for Rashid’s transportation from the court to the jail. It is pertinent to ask who could be interested in the escape of Rashid Rauf. His escape has led some critics to think that there might be some elements within the police force having a soft corner for the extremists. Others are of the view that perhaps the government did not want Rashid to appear before the court as he could spill the beans on some sensitive issue. The incident is a cause of embarrassment for the government, particularly so when it is facing growing pressure on account of terrorism.
December 18, 2007
The escape of Rashid Rauf, the alleged mastermind of the Trans-Atlantic flights from the UK to the US in August 2006, remains shrouded in mystery despite the Pakistani investigative agencies having singled out the two head constables and Rashid’s uncle for the escape. As a knee-jerk reaction to Rashid’s escape, a special team comprising the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Intelligence Bureau (IB) officials has been formed to arrest Rashid. The team is required to submit its report to the Interior Ministry within the next four days. Rauf, a British of Pakistani origin, succeeded in moving out from the UK in 2002 after the British police accused him of killing one of his relatives in Birmingham. After coming to Pakistan in 2002, Rauf is reported to have married a woman related to Maulana Masood Azhar, the Amir of Jaish-e-Mohammad. In August 2006, Rauf was arrested in Rawalpindi in a combined operation by intelligence agencies and police forces. After registering a case against him under the terrorism act and other acts of fraud, the police sent him to Adiala jail on judicial remand. The prosecution had alleged that Rauf was in possession of 29 bottles of the chemical hydrogen peroxide that could be used to blow up the Trans-Atlantic flights. The Anti Terrorism Court (ATC) dropped terrorism charges against Rauf. The judge had observed that the charges relating to terrorism were not relevant. Rauf still faced charges of impersonation, carrying fake identity card, fake documents, etc. The case was then sent to a civil court.
British officials had been trying to extradite Rauf to the UK for the last few months where Scotland secret police had to question Rauf about the Heathrow plot and his possible links to the 7/7 suicide bombers in London. The government officials had claimed that Rauf’s arrest would lead to the detection of the conspiracy to target jets and that he was linked to al Qaeda.
That Rashid was able to slip out of the police custody at a time when the Pakistan government was considering a request from Britain to extradite him in relation to the 2002 murder case adds to the mystery surrounding the whole issue. The events leading to the escape of Rashid, a high-profile accused, make it unlikely to be a case of “human failure”, as Nisar A Memon, caretaker Information Minister put it the other day. What makes the whole issue suspicious is the fact that over a period of time the level of Rashid’s security had been reduced from 12 police personnel to only two constables. That he was being transported in a private vehicle is another factor that arouses suspicion. Since all the eyes of the international media were focused on Pakistan, the government should have made fool-proof arrangements for Rashid’s transportation from the court to the jail. It is pertinent to ask who could be interested in the escape of Rashid Rauf. His escape has led some critics to think that there might be some elements within the police force having a soft corner for the extremists. Others are of the view that perhaps the government did not want Rashid to appear before the court as he could spill the beans on some sensitive issue. The incident is a cause of embarrassment for the government, particularly so when it is facing growing pressure on account of terrorism.
The News : ‘Rashid Rauf may have sneaked into Afghanistan’
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
‘Rashid Rauf may have sneaked into Afghanistan’
Investigation into escape in final stages
By Shakeel Anjum | December 19, 2007
ISLAMABAD: The intelligence agencies are said to have expressed strong fears that the fugitive Rashid Rauf might sneak into troubled Afghanistan to seek protection of his former comrades in the ranks of the Taliban in a bid to avoid his deportation to the UK, where he is wanted for murder.
Meanwhile, sources said, despite serious concerns expressed by the British foreign office, the government of Pakistan has not submitted any report to the concerned British authorities on Rauf’s escape.
The British government is now compiling its own reports within the High Commission on the developments taking place since the escape of their most wanted man. A confidential report has already been sent to President Musahrraf in which certain initial facts about the dramatic escape of Rashid Rauf have been stated. The report is believed to have criticised the inefficiency of certain top officers of the Islamabad police, for failing to understand the sensitivity of the whole matter.
Meanwhile, Rauf continues to dodge the intelligence and law enforcement agencies, as several days have passed since he escaped.He remains untraced so far despite serious notice taken by no less a person than President Musharraf.
Earlier, news of the escape of Rashid Rauf, whose extradition to the UK was under process, instantly became an international issue and a major subject of news stories in the international media because of his alleged involvement in a terrorist plot to bomb aircraft at Heathrow airport. The pressure is already mounting on Pakistan to trace this most wanted of absconders, as he is supposed to know a lot about the terrorists attacks in London and might give useful clues to the British investigators to trace the missing links in the London bomb attacks of July 7, 2005.
These sources have also expressed fears that Rashid Rauf could be found dead, simply because of the sensitivities involved in the case. They argue that those who had managed his allow his escape might not allow him to land in the hands of the police alive.
A new dimension was being discussed in the intelligence circles that Rashid Rauf might sneak into Afghanistan using the long route via Quetta. It might not be possible for the agencies to capture him before he enters Afghanistan because it was very difficult to man the 1,400 km long border between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Sources said that attention had already been focused on the possibility of his escape to Afghanistan. Certain police officials were quite hopeful in private conversations with this correspondent that they might catch hold of the fugitive very soon as they have found certain clues.
Online adds: Caretaker Interior Minister Hamid Nawaz Khan has vowed that Rashid Rauf will not be spared and he would be re-arrested soon. While talking to reporters on Tuesday, he said that the investigation team is doing its job in a methodical manner. He underlined that special police teams have been constituted to arrest Rashid Rauf.
He made it clear that strict action would be taken against all the officials who showed negligence and slackness in this regard. IG Police Shahid Nadeem Baloch also said that police teams are on their toes to search and arrest the fugitive.
A meeting of the investigation team was held at the office of Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Amir Ahmed Ali and was chaired by Additional Interior Secretary Imtiaz Qazi. The statements of superintendent and deputy superintendent of Adiala Jail, besides two police officers allegedly involved in allowing the escape of Rashid Rauf, were formally recorded, it was learnt. The committee apprehended that the culprit could not have escaped without the help of the police.
They further said that a meticulous investigation will be held to find the culprits behind the heinous act, adding that record of all those people who used to meet Rashid Rauf will be checked.
The Investigation team is expected to submit its report on Wednesday (today) that will be later presented to President Musharraf. —Online AP adds: Interior Minister Hamid Nawaz called Rauf’s escape “unfortunate” and a serious security lapse.
“We have one or two very good leads which we are working on, and the people who were closely involved in his escape have also been apprehended,” he told AP. He said Rauf’s possible escape routes have been blocked but he had a “good eight to nine hour start that has given him some advantage.” Nawaz said the five people who were arrested include two police officers and one of Rauf’s uncles.
He said he did not know if al-Qaeda was behind the escape, pending completion of an investigation. “Until then, it is all guess work,” he said. A judge in Rawalpindi on Tuesday granted a police request for permission to question the two detained officers for six days, said Shan Mohammed, a local police official.
Reuters adds: Rauf’s escape is a major embarrassment for the government of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf. Former prime minister and opposition leader Benazir Bhutto said she was shocked by the escape and demanded a thorough investigation.
Investigation into escape in final stages
By Shakeel Anjum | December 19, 2007
ISLAMABAD: The intelligence agencies are said to have expressed strong fears that the fugitive Rashid Rauf might sneak into troubled Afghanistan to seek protection of his former comrades in the ranks of the Taliban in a bid to avoid his deportation to the UK, where he is wanted for murder.
Meanwhile, sources said, despite serious concerns expressed by the British foreign office, the government of Pakistan has not submitted any report to the concerned British authorities on Rauf’s escape.
The British government is now compiling its own reports within the High Commission on the developments taking place since the escape of their most wanted man. A confidential report has already been sent to President Musahrraf in which certain initial facts about the dramatic escape of Rashid Rauf have been stated. The report is believed to have criticised the inefficiency of certain top officers of the Islamabad police, for failing to understand the sensitivity of the whole matter.
Meanwhile, Rauf continues to dodge the intelligence and law enforcement agencies, as several days have passed since he escaped.He remains untraced so far despite serious notice taken by no less a person than President Musharraf.
Earlier, news of the escape of Rashid Rauf, whose extradition to the UK was under process, instantly became an international issue and a major subject of news stories in the international media because of his alleged involvement in a terrorist plot to bomb aircraft at Heathrow airport. The pressure is already mounting on Pakistan to trace this most wanted of absconders, as he is supposed to know a lot about the terrorists attacks in London and might give useful clues to the British investigators to trace the missing links in the London bomb attacks of July 7, 2005.
These sources have also expressed fears that Rashid Rauf could be found dead, simply because of the sensitivities involved in the case. They argue that those who had managed his allow his escape might not allow him to land in the hands of the police alive.
A new dimension was being discussed in the intelligence circles that Rashid Rauf might sneak into Afghanistan using the long route via Quetta. It might not be possible for the agencies to capture him before he enters Afghanistan because it was very difficult to man the 1,400 km long border between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Sources said that attention had already been focused on the possibility of his escape to Afghanistan. Certain police officials were quite hopeful in private conversations with this correspondent that they might catch hold of the fugitive very soon as they have found certain clues.
Online adds: Caretaker Interior Minister Hamid Nawaz Khan has vowed that Rashid Rauf will not be spared and he would be re-arrested soon. While talking to reporters on Tuesday, he said that the investigation team is doing its job in a methodical manner. He underlined that special police teams have been constituted to arrest Rashid Rauf.
He made it clear that strict action would be taken against all the officials who showed negligence and slackness in this regard. IG Police Shahid Nadeem Baloch also said that police teams are on their toes to search and arrest the fugitive.
A meeting of the investigation team was held at the office of Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Amir Ahmed Ali and was chaired by Additional Interior Secretary Imtiaz Qazi. The statements of superintendent and deputy superintendent of Adiala Jail, besides two police officers allegedly involved in allowing the escape of Rashid Rauf, were formally recorded, it was learnt. The committee apprehended that the culprit could not have escaped without the help of the police.
They further said that a meticulous investigation will be held to find the culprits behind the heinous act, adding that record of all those people who used to meet Rashid Rauf will be checked.
The Investigation team is expected to submit its report on Wednesday (today) that will be later presented to President Musharraf. —Online AP adds: Interior Minister Hamid Nawaz called Rauf’s escape “unfortunate” and a serious security lapse.
“We have one or two very good leads which we are working on, and the people who were closely involved in his escape have also been apprehended,” he told AP. He said Rauf’s possible escape routes have been blocked but he had a “good eight to nine hour start that has given him some advantage.” Nawaz said the five people who were arrested include two police officers and one of Rauf’s uncles.
He said he did not know if al-Qaeda was behind the escape, pending completion of an investigation. “Until then, it is all guess work,” he said. A judge in Rawalpindi on Tuesday granted a police request for permission to question the two detained officers for six days, said Shan Mohammed, a local police official.
Reuters adds: Rauf’s escape is a major embarrassment for the government of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf. Former prime minister and opposition leader Benazir Bhutto said she was shocked by the escape and demanded a thorough investigation.
Dawn : Rauf case: policemen remanded
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Rauf case: policemen remanded
By A Reporter | December 18, 2007
RAWALPINDI, Dec 18: A local court remanded two policemen in police custody for six days here on Tuesday.
Special Judge Central Shaukat Ali Sajid gave Head Constable Mohammad Tufail and Constable Nawabzada in the custody of the Margalla police to interrogate the escape of Rashid Rauf, wanted in the Trans-Atlantic bomb plot case in London.
The policemen are facing charges of negligence and helping the accused Rauf to escape from the police custody. They were on duty when Rauf was produced in an Islamabad court in connection with his extradition application by British authorities.
In their preliminary statements, they said that Rauf escaped from an Adiala Road mosque where he was to offer his prayers. He was in the private car of his uncle on way back to the jail which helped him to escape.
Rashid Rauf, 26, a British national of Pakistani origin, was arrested in August 2006 by the Rawalpindi Airport police for allegedly carrying hydrogen peroxide and some fake documents.
An anti-terrorism court (ANT) in December 2006 dropped terrorism [charges] against him, however, the case was again taken up by the ATC after the orders of the Lahore High Court Rawalpindi Bench. On November 15, 2007 the government withdrew charges against Rashid and detained him under preventive laws.
By A Reporter | December 18, 2007
RAWALPINDI, Dec 18: A local court remanded two policemen in police custody for six days here on Tuesday.
Special Judge Central Shaukat Ali Sajid gave Head Constable Mohammad Tufail and Constable Nawabzada in the custody of the Margalla police to interrogate the escape of Rashid Rauf, wanted in the Trans-Atlantic bomb plot case in London.
The policemen are facing charges of negligence and helping the accused Rauf to escape from the police custody. They were on duty when Rauf was produced in an Islamabad court in connection with his extradition application by British authorities.
In their preliminary statements, they said that Rauf escaped from an Adiala Road mosque where he was to offer his prayers. He was in the private car of his uncle on way back to the jail which helped him to escape.
Rashid Rauf, 26, a British national of Pakistani origin, was arrested in August 2006 by the Rawalpindi Airport police for allegedly carrying hydrogen peroxide and some fake documents.
An anti-terrorism court (ANT) in December 2006 dropped terrorism [charges] against him, however, the case was again taken up by the ATC after the orders of the Lahore High Court Rawalpindi Bench. On November 15, 2007 the government withdrew charges against Rashid and detained him under preventive laws.
National Post (Canada) : Suspect escapes on a full stomach
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Suspect escapes on a full stomach
Convinced jailers to stop to eat, pray
Rana Jawad, Agence France-Presse, with files from Reuters | December 18, 2007
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan police took a British plane-bombing suspect who escaped from custody out for prayers and fast food just before he made his break to freedom on the weekend, a security official said yesterday.
The latest details of Rashid Rauf's disappearance on his way from court back to jail on Saturday came as police pursued a nationwide manhunt for the 26-year-old, suspected in a 2006 plot to blow up transatlantic airliners.
Mr. Rauf had just appeared in an Islamabad court when his uncle asked police escorts if they could all drive back to the jail in his more comfortable van rather than a police vehicle, a senior security official said.
The two police agreed, said the official, who asked not to be named.
On the way back to Adiala jail in neighbouring Rawalpindi, the suspect asked permission to stop at a fast-food restaurant where the uncle, Muhammad Rafiq, bought a meal for all four of them, he said.
Mr. Rauf, whose alleged plot to blow planes out of the sky with liquid explosives led to worldwide restrictions on liquids in carry-on baggage, then asked to be allowed to visit a mosque to pray.
While the prayer service was going on, the official said, Mr. Rauf and his uncle vanished.
"Rauf's uncle, who helped him escape from custody, has been arrested and is under interrogation," he said.
The two police escorts are also being questioned amid reports they waited several hours before telling superiors the prisoner had got away.
A committee has been formed to investigate the incident and a first report is expected today.
Authorities also arrested another of Mr. Rauf's uncles and raided his house in Bahawalpur, eastern Pakistan.
Britain has been seeking to extradite Mr. Rauf for the murder of yet another uncle, Mohammed Saeed, his mother's brother, who was stabbed to death in Birmingham in 2002.
His escape in murky circumstances was an embarrassment for the government, Dawn television network said yesterday.
Pervez Musharraf, the Pakistan President, is a key ally in the U.S.-led "war on terror" but critics say the country could do more to co-operate in tracking and detaining terrorist suspects.
"We are investigating and in hot pursuit of the man," said Shahid Nadeem Baluch, the Islamabad police chief. "We are hopeful that we will capture him."
The superintendent of the jail where Mr. Rauf was being held said the police escorts may have unlocked his handcuffs when he went to pray.
Convinced jailers to stop to eat, pray
Rana Jawad, Agence France-Presse, with files from Reuters | December 18, 2007
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan police took a British plane-bombing suspect who escaped from custody out for prayers and fast food just before he made his break to freedom on the weekend, a security official said yesterday.
The latest details of Rashid Rauf's disappearance on his way from court back to jail on Saturday came as police pursued a nationwide manhunt for the 26-year-old, suspected in a 2006 plot to blow up transatlantic airliners.
Mr. Rauf had just appeared in an Islamabad court when his uncle asked police escorts if they could all drive back to the jail in his more comfortable van rather than a police vehicle, a senior security official said.
The two police agreed, said the official, who asked not to be named.
On the way back to Adiala jail in neighbouring Rawalpindi, the suspect asked permission to stop at a fast-food restaurant where the uncle, Muhammad Rafiq, bought a meal for all four of them, he said.
Mr. Rauf, whose alleged plot to blow planes out of the sky with liquid explosives led to worldwide restrictions on liquids in carry-on baggage, then asked to be allowed to visit a mosque to pray.
While the prayer service was going on, the official said, Mr. Rauf and his uncle vanished.
"Rauf's uncle, who helped him escape from custody, has been arrested and is under interrogation," he said.
The two police escorts are also being questioned amid reports they waited several hours before telling superiors the prisoner had got away.
A committee has been formed to investigate the incident and a first report is expected today.
Authorities also arrested another of Mr. Rauf's uncles and raided his house in Bahawalpur, eastern Pakistan.
Britain has been seeking to extradite Mr. Rauf for the murder of yet another uncle, Mohammed Saeed, his mother's brother, who was stabbed to death in Birmingham in 2002.
His escape in murky circumstances was an embarrassment for the government, Dawn television network said yesterday.
Pervez Musharraf, the Pakistan President, is a key ally in the U.S.-led "war on terror" but critics say the country could do more to co-operate in tracking and detaining terrorist suspects.
"We are investigating and in hot pursuit of the man," said Shahid Nadeem Baluch, the Islamabad police chief. "We are hopeful that we will capture him."
The superintendent of the jail where Mr. Rauf was being held said the police escorts may have unlocked his handcuffs when he went to pray.
Daily Breeze (Los Angeles) : 3rd man pleads guilty in terror plot
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
3rd man pleads guilty in terror plot
By Cathy Franklin, Staff Writer | December 17, 2007
A third man pleaded guilty Monday to conspiring to levy war against the U.S. government as part of a prison-based plot to rob Torrance gas stations to finance terrorist strikes against military, Jewish and Israeli targets.
Gregory Patterson, 23, formerly of Gardena, also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess and discharge a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, stemming from a series of 10 robberies that netted "a couple thousand" dollars, a federal prosecutor said.
Patterson faces 25 years to life when he is sentenced April 14 by U.S. District Judge Cormac Carney in Santa Ana.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas McCormick said outside court that "practically speaking," Patterson faces up to 25 years in prison, as does Levar Haney Washington, 28, who pleaded guilty Friday to the same charges.
Washington is set to be sentenced April 28, while sentencing will be March 31 for 31-year-old Kevin James, who also pleaded guilty Friday.
James, who founded the radical Islamic organization known as Jam'iyyat Ul-Islam Is-Saheeh in 1997 while incarcerated at Folsom prison, pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy to levy war against the United States. James faces up to 20 years in prison.
The men, along with Hammad Samana of Inglewood, were indicted in 2005 for what authorities said was a plot to attack American military facilities, Israeli government offices and synagogues in the Los Angeles area.
has been declared incompetent to stand trial and is confined to a federal medical facility, McCormick said.
According to McCormick, James recruited Washington while both men were in prison, and Washington then recruited Patterson and Samana after he was released.
After the men swore oaths to JIS, they set out to research a number of military recruiting stations and other facilities, including synagogues and a place referred to as a "camp of Zion."
From May 30, 2005, to July 5, 2005, Washington, Patterson and Samana used a shotgun in the Torrance gas station heists, McCormick said.
Patterson's defense attorney Winston McKesson said his client fell under the spell of Washington, a charismatic character.
Patterson, McKesson said, "led a typical middle-class life."
"He was a good student, he worked, he was never in trouble," McKesson said. "We all have our personal flaws and he is a follower."
Patterson was studying Islam at a center and Washington came there to speak.
The two men roomed together, McKesson said, and "Washington manipulated him emotionally and intellectually and physically abused him."
McKesson said he will be "zealous" in his efforts to "minimize the severity of punishment" Patterson ultimately receives at his sentencing.
By Cathy Franklin, Staff Writer | December 17, 2007
A third man pleaded guilty Monday to conspiring to levy war against the U.S. government as part of a prison-based plot to rob Torrance gas stations to finance terrorist strikes against military, Jewish and Israeli targets.
Gregory Patterson, 23, formerly of Gardena, also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess and discharge a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, stemming from a series of 10 robberies that netted "a couple thousand" dollars, a federal prosecutor said.
Patterson faces 25 years to life when he is sentenced April 14 by U.S. District Judge Cormac Carney in Santa Ana.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Douglas McCormick said outside court that "practically speaking," Patterson faces up to 25 years in prison, as does Levar Haney Washington, 28, who pleaded guilty Friday to the same charges.
Washington is set to be sentenced April 28, while sentencing will be March 31 for 31-year-old Kevin James, who also pleaded guilty Friday.
James, who founded the radical Islamic organization known as Jam'iyyat Ul-Islam Is-Saheeh in 1997 while incarcerated at Folsom prison, pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy to levy war against the United States. James faces up to 20 years in prison.
The men, along with Hammad Samana of Inglewood, were indicted in 2005 for what authorities said was a plot to attack American military facilities, Israeli government offices and synagogues in the Los Angeles area.
has been declared incompetent to stand trial and is confined to a federal medical facility, McCormick said.
According to McCormick, James recruited Washington while both men were in prison, and Washington then recruited Patterson and Samana after he was released.
After the men swore oaths to JIS, they set out to research a number of military recruiting stations and other facilities, including synagogues and a place referred to as a "camp of Zion."
From May 30, 2005, to July 5, 2005, Washington, Patterson and Samana used a shotgun in the Torrance gas station heists, McCormick said.
Patterson's defense attorney Winston McKesson said his client fell under the spell of Washington, a charismatic character.
Patterson, McKesson said, "led a typical middle-class life."
"He was a good student, he worked, he was never in trouble," McKesson said. "We all have our personal flaws and he is a follower."
Patterson was studying Islam at a center and Washington came there to speak.
The two men roomed together, McKesson said, and "Washington manipulated him emotionally and intellectually and physically abused him."
McKesson said he will be "zealous" in his efforts to "minimize the severity of punishment" Patterson ultimately receives at his sentencing.
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The Nation (Pakistan) : Conditional aid not in favour of Pak-US ties: FO
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Conditional aid not in favour of Pak-US ties: FO
SHAIQ HUSSAIN | December 19, 2007
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan has said that Commonwealth will review the decision after the general elections in the country and it has been conveyed to Islamabad.
Addressing his weekly Press briefing here Wednesday, Foreign Office spokesman Muhammad Sadiq said that Commonwealth had taken the decision in a haste without considering the ground realities like restoration of the Constitution and democracy.
When asked to comment on US House of Representatives’ bill linking conditionalities with aid for Pakistan, the spokesman said that any condition attached to the assistance programme would not affect the relationship between the two countries. He said Pak-US relationship served the interests of peace, stability and progress in the region and Pakistan will remain engaged with the US administration and Congress on vital issues.
He added the Commonwealth has sent a request for election observers’ visit but so far no decision has been taken on the request.
He also said that Afghan President Hamid Karzai will arrive here on December 26 on a two-day visit to discuss bilateral issues and cooperation in war on terror with top Pakistani leadership.
The Afghan President is arriving here at the invitation of President Pervez Musharraf. “It is essentially a goodwill visit meant to express solidarity with Pakistan,” he said.
President Karzai, he said, is the second head of state paying visit to Pakistan after elections of Pervez Musharraf as the civilian president. Before him, the Turkish President visited Pakistan on the invitation of his Pakistani counterpart.
He said the Afghan President will meet President Musharraf and the Caretaker Prime Minister Muhammadmian Soomro and their discussions would focus on bilateral relations, reconstruction of Afghanistan, war on terror as well as regional and international situations.
Answering a query, he said inquiry report on escape of Rashid Rauf, the British terror suspect, from police custody, is likely to be released by the Interior Ministry today. He said that there is no extradition treaty between Pakistan and the UK, though the British government has asked for Rauf’s extradition.
Answering another question, Sadiq termed the statement of Indian Security Advisor M K Narayan regarding Pakistan’s involvement in the terrorism as baseless. He also said that Pakistan would not allow any one to use its territory for subversive acts against any other state.
To another question, he said that National Command Authority headed by President Pervez Musharraf is an important institution meant for the protection of country’s nuclear assets. He added that multiple arrangements have been carried out for the security of strategic assets.
To a question, he said Pakistan would not allow any other country to act on Pakistani territory against extremism. “Pakistani forces will take such action as they are fully capable and willing to do that,” he said.
SHAIQ HUSSAIN | December 19, 2007
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan has said that Commonwealth will review the decision after the general elections in the country and it has been conveyed to Islamabad.
Addressing his weekly Press briefing here Wednesday, Foreign Office spokesman Muhammad Sadiq said that Commonwealth had taken the decision in a haste without considering the ground realities like restoration of the Constitution and democracy.
When asked to comment on US House of Representatives’ bill linking conditionalities with aid for Pakistan, the spokesman said that any condition attached to the assistance programme would not affect the relationship between the two countries. He said Pak-US relationship served the interests of peace, stability and progress in the region and Pakistan will remain engaged with the US administration and Congress on vital issues.
He added the Commonwealth has sent a request for election observers’ visit but so far no decision has been taken on the request.
He also said that Afghan President Hamid Karzai will arrive here on December 26 on a two-day visit to discuss bilateral issues and cooperation in war on terror with top Pakistani leadership.
The Afghan President is arriving here at the invitation of President Pervez Musharraf. “It is essentially a goodwill visit meant to express solidarity with Pakistan,” he said.
President Karzai, he said, is the second head of state paying visit to Pakistan after elections of Pervez Musharraf as the civilian president. Before him, the Turkish President visited Pakistan on the invitation of his Pakistani counterpart.
He said the Afghan President will meet President Musharraf and the Caretaker Prime Minister Muhammadmian Soomro and their discussions would focus on bilateral relations, reconstruction of Afghanistan, war on terror as well as regional and international situations.
Answering a query, he said inquiry report on escape of Rashid Rauf, the British terror suspect, from police custody, is likely to be released by the Interior Ministry today. He said that there is no extradition treaty between Pakistan and the UK, though the British government has asked for Rauf’s extradition.
Answering another question, Sadiq termed the statement of Indian Security Advisor M K Narayan regarding Pakistan’s involvement in the terrorism as baseless. He also said that Pakistan would not allow any one to use its territory for subversive acts against any other state.
To another question, he said that National Command Authority headed by President Pervez Musharraf is an important institution meant for the protection of country’s nuclear assets. He added that multiple arrangements have been carried out for the security of strategic assets.
To a question, he said Pakistan would not allow any other country to act on Pakistani territory against extremism. “Pakistani forces will take such action as they are fully capable and willing to do that,” he said.
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Longmont Times-Call : Bomb-making suspect pleads not guilty
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Bomb-making suspect pleads not guilty
By Pierrette J. Shields | Longmont Times-Call | December 19, 2007
BOULDER — A Longmont man charged with 10 counts of possessing explosives pleaded not guilty to the charges during an arraignment hearing Tuesday morning in Boulder District court.
Attorneys scheduled an April 2008 jury trial for Ronald Swerlein, a retired engineer who told police his chemical experiments in the garage of his home were nerdy, but not nefarious.
He told police he was trying to develop a rocket fuel and did not intend to use any explosive chemicals for any other reason, according to police reports in the case. He is free on a $50,000 bond.
A motions hearing is scheduled in March.
Prosecutor Anne Pignatiello said that she has been negotiating with Swerlein’s attorney Paul McCormick, but that her office did not want the case to stall.
“Paul and I have talked, and we are obviously continuing to talk,” she said. “I think we’re at the point to set it for trial.”
McCormick would not say whether Swerlein is open to accepting a plea bargain in the case.
“I have no comment,” he said.
Police in June followed neighborhood tips and obtained warrants to Swerlein’s home at 2404 Sunset St. and seized a cache of more than 400 chemicals, many of which were highly explosive. Neighbors complained about hearing explosions coming from the property.
Police Sgt. Tim Lewis said at the time that heightened community sensitivities caused by the discovery of small homemade explosives in the Longmont Clinic’s parking lot highlighted the explosions at the Swerlein home, leading officers to investigate. Police are still seeking a suspect in the Longmont Clinic case.
Police met with Swerlein’s neighbors after the raid to explain the situation and encourage them to organize through the city’s neighborhood group program to better communicate with one another when concerns surface.
Swerlein’s attorney asked for a gag order, but a Boulder District judge rejected the motion.
By Pierrette J. Shields | Longmont Times-Call | December 19, 2007
BOULDER — A Longmont man charged with 10 counts of possessing explosives pleaded not guilty to the charges during an arraignment hearing Tuesday morning in Boulder District court.
Attorneys scheduled an April 2008 jury trial for Ronald Swerlein, a retired engineer who told police his chemical experiments in the garage of his home were nerdy, but not nefarious.
He told police he was trying to develop a rocket fuel and did not intend to use any explosive chemicals for any other reason, according to police reports in the case. He is free on a $50,000 bond.
A motions hearing is scheduled in March.
Prosecutor Anne Pignatiello said that she has been negotiating with Swerlein’s attorney Paul McCormick, but that her office did not want the case to stall.
“Paul and I have talked, and we are obviously continuing to talk,” she said. “I think we’re at the point to set it for trial.”
McCormick would not say whether Swerlein is open to accepting a plea bargain in the case.
“I have no comment,” he said.
Police in June followed neighborhood tips and obtained warrants to Swerlein’s home at 2404 Sunset St. and seized a cache of more than 400 chemicals, many of which were highly explosive. Neighbors complained about hearing explosions coming from the property.
Police Sgt. Tim Lewis said at the time that heightened community sensitivities caused by the discovery of small homemade explosives in the Longmont Clinic’s parking lot highlighted the explosions at the Swerlein home, leading officers to investigate. Police are still seeking a suspect in the Longmont Clinic case.
Police met with Swerlein’s neighbors after the raid to explain the situation and encourage them to organize through the city’s neighborhood group program to better communicate with one another when concerns surface.
Swerlein’s attorney asked for a gag order, but a Boulder District judge rejected the motion.
The Post : Benazir ready to bury differences with Nawaz
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Benazir ready to bury differences with Nawaz
December 20, 2007
NAWABSHAH: PPP Chairperson Benazir Bhutto has said her differences with Nawaz Sharif are now a thing of the past and she will work jointly with PML-N Chief for restoration of democracy in the country.
"I will bury all the differences with Nawaz Sharif and work jointly with him for revival of democratic process in the country. I will strive in unison with Nawaz Sharif after elections that journey to democracy should continue uninterrupted. Differences with Nawaz Sharif are now thing of past. Our political ideologies are diverse and differences are there but we are united to save the country and restore democracy in the country", she said this while addressing a public meeting here on Wednesday. "People criticise us that we will stage demonstrations against each other. We will not engage in any conflict against each other", she added. She questioned how the master mind of London plane plot case Rashid Rauf escaped. He escaped because uniform was not being used for the sake of nation and it was being used to make the parties, she added.
Without naming PML-Q she said they are political orphans. PML-Q wanted emergency not to be lifted from the country and President Musharraf should be re-elected in uniform. But they failed in their designs. President delivered his promise. Emergency was lifted. Now president and army chief were working separately, she added.
People will foil rigging plan at every cost, she said adding people will chase ballot boxes on January 8. President Musharraf had promised us that elections would be held in transparent manner, she pointed out.
December 20, 2007
NAWABSHAH: PPP Chairperson Benazir Bhutto has said her differences with Nawaz Sharif are now a thing of the past and she will work jointly with PML-N Chief for restoration of democracy in the country.
"I will bury all the differences with Nawaz Sharif and work jointly with him for revival of democratic process in the country. I will strive in unison with Nawaz Sharif after elections that journey to democracy should continue uninterrupted. Differences with Nawaz Sharif are now thing of past. Our political ideologies are diverse and differences are there but we are united to save the country and restore democracy in the country", she said this while addressing a public meeting here on Wednesday. "People criticise us that we will stage demonstrations against each other. We will not engage in any conflict against each other", she added. She questioned how the master mind of London plane plot case Rashid Rauf escaped. He escaped because uniform was not being used for the sake of nation and it was being used to make the parties, she added.
Without naming PML-Q she said they are political orphans. PML-Q wanted emergency not to be lifted from the country and President Musharraf should be re-elected in uniform. But they failed in their designs. President delivered his promise. Emergency was lifted. Now president and army chief were working separately, she added.
People will foil rigging plan at every cost, she said adding people will chase ballot boxes on January 8. President Musharraf had promised us that elections would be held in transparent manner, she pointed out.
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Pakistan,
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The Post : Conditional US aid to serve no purpose: FO
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Conditional US aid to serve no purpose: FO
Says Karzai to visit Pakistan next week
C’wealth will review decision after polls
Rauf was discussed with UK in past but both countries have no extradition treaty
Iqbal Choudhry | December 20, 2007
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday said the US budget approval by the House of Representatives and conditions attached to assistance to Pakistan would serve no purpose.
"It is not the end of the matter as there are many other steps to be taken before the finalisation of the budget and Pakistan will continue its engagement with US," Muhammad Sadiq Foreign Office Spokesman while addressing the weekly briefing said.
The US House of Representatives on Monday night passed a bill putting tough conditions on the provision of military aid to Pakistan, unless the State Department issues certificates that Islamabad was fighting Al-Qaeda, stopping the Taliban and implementing democratic reforms, which significantly include restoration of an independent judiciary, end to harassment of the media and journalists, human rights activists and release of all political detainees.
Pakistan also said that Commonwealth took the decision about the suspension of Pakistan's membership in haste and it will review after election on January 8, 2008.
"Commonwealth took decision in haste. Sri Lanka publicly announced its disassociation with the decision. CMAG did not consider ground realities of Pakistan like restoration of democracy and constitution," the FO said. To a question about the request of Commonwealth observers for covering general elections, he said that they have applied for a visa and the procedure would take time and final decision is still pending in this regard.
Responding to a terrorism-related query, he said that Pakistani forces are fully capable to take any action against terrorists inside the country.
"We will not allow any country to act in Pakistani territory against extremism," he said.
When his attention was drawn to a statement of the Indian National Security advisor, the spokesman rejected it and said Pakistan is not involved in any kind of terrorism or extremism in India and it will not allow its territory to be used for that purpose.
When asked whether UK envoy formally contacted with Foreign Office regarding Rashid Rauf issue, he rejected the impression and said UK authorities are in touch with Interior Ministry. "The initial investigation report by the Ministry of Interior was about to be released and it will be shared with the British government," he said. The spokesman said the High Commissioner of UK visited the Foreign Office on Wednesday but it was not related to Rashid Rauf case. The matter of Rashid Rauf was being discussed with UK in past but both the countries don't have extradition treaty, he said.
While reading out the opening statement, the spokesman informed that Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai will arrive Islamabad on December 26 for a two-day goodwill visit and talks on expanding multifaceted relations between the two countries and enhancing cooperation against terrorism and extremism.
"The visit, an expression of solidarity with Pakistan, is in response to the invitation extended by President Pervez Musharraf and the meetings are expected to focus the bilateral relations, reconstruction in Afghanistan," Foreign Office spokesman Muhammad Sadiq said.
President Karzai will be the second head of state to visit Pakistan after Turkish President Abdullah Gul since the re-election of President Musharraf for a second term, the spokesman said.
The spokesman said President Musharraf extended the invitation to Afghan President when he went to Afghanistan in August 2007 to address the concluding session of Pak-Afghan grand jirga.
He said frequent exchange of visits between the leadership of the two brotherly countries is a hallmark of Pak-Afghan relations.
The spokesman said during his visit President Karzai will meet President Musharraf and Prime Minister Mohammadmian Soomro.
During the meetings, regional and international situation, war against terrorism and efforts to maintain peace in the region will also be discussed, he said.
The President and Prime Minister will also hold a banquet and a luncheon respectively for the visiting dignitary.
Says Karzai to visit Pakistan next week
C’wealth will review decision after polls
Rauf was discussed with UK in past but both countries have no extradition treaty
Iqbal Choudhry | December 20, 2007
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday said the US budget approval by the House of Representatives and conditions attached to assistance to Pakistan would serve no purpose.
"It is not the end of the matter as there are many other steps to be taken before the finalisation of the budget and Pakistan will continue its engagement with US," Muhammad Sadiq Foreign Office Spokesman while addressing the weekly briefing said.
The US House of Representatives on Monday night passed a bill putting tough conditions on the provision of military aid to Pakistan, unless the State Department issues certificates that Islamabad was fighting Al-Qaeda, stopping the Taliban and implementing democratic reforms, which significantly include restoration of an independent judiciary, end to harassment of the media and journalists, human rights activists and release of all political detainees.
Pakistan also said that Commonwealth took the decision about the suspension of Pakistan's membership in haste and it will review after election on January 8, 2008.
"Commonwealth took decision in haste. Sri Lanka publicly announced its disassociation with the decision. CMAG did not consider ground realities of Pakistan like restoration of democracy and constitution," the FO said. To a question about the request of Commonwealth observers for covering general elections, he said that they have applied for a visa and the procedure would take time and final decision is still pending in this regard.
Responding to a terrorism-related query, he said that Pakistani forces are fully capable to take any action against terrorists inside the country.
"We will not allow any country to act in Pakistani territory against extremism," he said.
When his attention was drawn to a statement of the Indian National Security advisor, the spokesman rejected it and said Pakistan is not involved in any kind of terrorism or extremism in India and it will not allow its territory to be used for that purpose.
When asked whether UK envoy formally contacted with Foreign Office regarding Rashid Rauf issue, he rejected the impression and said UK authorities are in touch with Interior Ministry. "The initial investigation report by the Ministry of Interior was about to be released and it will be shared with the British government," he said. The spokesman said the High Commissioner of UK visited the Foreign Office on Wednesday but it was not related to Rashid Rauf case. The matter of Rashid Rauf was being discussed with UK in past but both the countries don't have extradition treaty, he said.
While reading out the opening statement, the spokesman informed that Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai will arrive Islamabad on December 26 for a two-day goodwill visit and talks on expanding multifaceted relations between the two countries and enhancing cooperation against terrorism and extremism.
"The visit, an expression of solidarity with Pakistan, is in response to the invitation extended by President Pervez Musharraf and the meetings are expected to focus the bilateral relations, reconstruction in Afghanistan," Foreign Office spokesman Muhammad Sadiq said.
President Karzai will be the second head of state to visit Pakistan after Turkish President Abdullah Gul since the re-election of President Musharraf for a second term, the spokesman said.
The spokesman said President Musharraf extended the invitation to Afghan President when he went to Afghanistan in August 2007 to address the concluding session of Pak-Afghan grand jirga.
He said frequent exchange of visits between the leadership of the two brotherly countries is a hallmark of Pak-Afghan relations.
The spokesman said during his visit President Karzai will meet President Musharraf and Prime Minister Mohammadmian Soomro.
During the meetings, regional and international situation, war against terrorism and efforts to maintain peace in the region will also be discussed, he said.
The President and Prime Minister will also hold a banquet and a luncheon respectively for the visiting dignitary.
Filed under
Pakistan,
Rashid Rauf
by Winter Patriot
on Wednesday, December 19, 2007
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The News : US conditions on aid not good for ties: FO
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
US conditions on aid not good for ties: FO
By Mariana Baabar | December 20, 2007
ISLAMABAD: Alarm bells rang in Islamabad over The News story that the US House of Representatives had passed a bill putting tough conditions on providing military aid to Pakistan. The Foreign Office spokesman said at a briefing here on Wednesday that Pakistan was already seized of the matter.
“Pak-US relations are very important and attaching conditions to this assistance will not serve our relations. These relations serve the interest of peace and security and progress in the region. We will continue to continue to engage with Congress. This is not the end of the matter but only the beginning. The bill has to go through several steps,” he said.
In his weekly press briefing here on Wednesday, the spokesman said President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai would be visiting Islamabad on 26-27 December and the Pakistani leadership was expected to take up with him all bilateral issues, including cooperation in the struggle against extremism and terrorism.
To a query whether President Pervez Musharraf will ask him “to do more” since the government has always maintained that the problems (of extremism and terrorism) lie inside Afghanistan and the answer is also inside Afghanistan, the spokesman said, “Do more is not our language. All bilateral issues, including cooperation in the struggle against extremism and terrorism, would be discussed but this discussion is couched in a different language.
The spokesman said this was essentially a goodwill visit and expression of solidarity with Pakistan. “He will be the second head of state to visit Pakistan since the election of President Pervez Musharraf for his second term,” he added.
During his visit, President Karzai will meet the president and the prime minister. The meetings are expected to focus on bilateral relations, reconstruction in Afghanistan as well as regional and international situation. The president and the prime minister will also hold a banquet and a luncheon respectively for the visiting dignitary.
To a query if the issue of Pakistan’s elections will be discussed with Karzai and if help will be sought to ensure that these are free elections, the spokesman replied that though there are a number of issues but assistance in elections is not a part of the agenda.
“There are no expectations or need (for Afghan help) in this regard,” he added.
To several queries, the spokesman said he was not aware if the British high commissioner had visited the Foreign Office with regard to the escape of Rashid Rauf.
“The High Commission, however, is in touch with the Ministry of Interior. There is no extradition treaty between Pakistan and the UK but the British government’s interest in Rashid Rauf is understandable. The initial inquiry report is due today. The British are in touch with the Ministry of Interior which has ordered this inquiry,” he said.
To another query whether Rashid Rauf had escaped to Afghanistan, the spokesman again replied, “The report on Rashid Rauf is due today. We don’t know where he is now. I cannot say what will we do next. Interior is the focal ministry in this regard.”
To a query whether any embassy in Pakistan or a foreign capital had expressed concern at the alleged campaigning for a single political party by the president, the spokesman replied, “The president has said that he won’t campaign for any party. Nobody has expressed any such concerns you are mentioning.”
Asked to comment on the views of the Indian National Security Adviser that Pakistan was involved in terrorist activities inside India, the spokesman shrugged aside these allegations saying, “Our position on so-called terror groups allegedly operating from Pakistan is very clear. Pakistan isn’t involved in any terrorist activity inside India and we do not allow our territory to be used for this purpose. We have reiterated this position frequently.”
The government says requests have come from Commonwealth for sending observers for elections but the government has still not taken a decision.
When reminded that the president said that everyone was welcome, the spokesman replied, “Yes, everyone is welcome but everyone needs to apply and get approved.”
“The Commonwealth decision at Kampala came as a disappointment to us as it was taken in haste without considering the ground situation in Pakistan or the measures that had already been taken by the government to return the country to full democracy and civilian rule. Our proposal of sending a delegation before taking a decision was also ignored. One of the CMAG members, Sri Lanka, publicly disassociated itself from the organisationÃs decision,” he added.
By Mariana Baabar | December 20, 2007
ISLAMABAD: Alarm bells rang in Islamabad over The News story that the US House of Representatives had passed a bill putting tough conditions on providing military aid to Pakistan. The Foreign Office spokesman said at a briefing here on Wednesday that Pakistan was already seized of the matter.
“Pak-US relations are very important and attaching conditions to this assistance will not serve our relations. These relations serve the interest of peace and security and progress in the region. We will continue to continue to engage with Congress. This is not the end of the matter but only the beginning. The bill has to go through several steps,” he said.
In his weekly press briefing here on Wednesday, the spokesman said President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai would be visiting Islamabad on 26-27 December and the Pakistani leadership was expected to take up with him all bilateral issues, including cooperation in the struggle against extremism and terrorism.
To a query whether President Pervez Musharraf will ask him “to do more” since the government has always maintained that the problems (of extremism and terrorism) lie inside Afghanistan and the answer is also inside Afghanistan, the spokesman said, “Do more is not our language. All bilateral issues, including cooperation in the struggle against extremism and terrorism, would be discussed but this discussion is couched in a different language.
The spokesman said this was essentially a goodwill visit and expression of solidarity with Pakistan. “He will be the second head of state to visit Pakistan since the election of President Pervez Musharraf for his second term,” he added.
During his visit, President Karzai will meet the president and the prime minister. The meetings are expected to focus on bilateral relations, reconstruction in Afghanistan as well as regional and international situation. The president and the prime minister will also hold a banquet and a luncheon respectively for the visiting dignitary.
To a query if the issue of Pakistan’s elections will be discussed with Karzai and if help will be sought to ensure that these are free elections, the spokesman replied that though there are a number of issues but assistance in elections is not a part of the agenda.
“There are no expectations or need (for Afghan help) in this regard,” he added.
To several queries, the spokesman said he was not aware if the British high commissioner had visited the Foreign Office with regard to the escape of Rashid Rauf.
“The High Commission, however, is in touch with the Ministry of Interior. There is no extradition treaty between Pakistan and the UK but the British government’s interest in Rashid Rauf is understandable. The initial inquiry report is due today. The British are in touch with the Ministry of Interior which has ordered this inquiry,” he said.
To another query whether Rashid Rauf had escaped to Afghanistan, the spokesman again replied, “The report on Rashid Rauf is due today. We don’t know where he is now. I cannot say what will we do next. Interior is the focal ministry in this regard.”
To a query whether any embassy in Pakistan or a foreign capital had expressed concern at the alleged campaigning for a single political party by the president, the spokesman replied, “The president has said that he won’t campaign for any party. Nobody has expressed any such concerns you are mentioning.”
Asked to comment on the views of the Indian National Security Adviser that Pakistan was involved in terrorist activities inside India, the spokesman shrugged aside these allegations saying, “Our position on so-called terror groups allegedly operating from Pakistan is very clear. Pakistan isn’t involved in any terrorist activity inside India and we do not allow our territory to be used for this purpose. We have reiterated this position frequently.”
The government says requests have come from Commonwealth for sending observers for elections but the government has still not taken a decision.
When reminded that the president said that everyone was welcome, the spokesman replied, “Yes, everyone is welcome but everyone needs to apply and get approved.”
“The Commonwealth decision at Kampala came as a disappointment to us as it was taken in haste without considering the ground situation in Pakistan or the measures that had already been taken by the government to return the country to full democracy and civilian rule. Our proposal of sending a delegation before taking a decision was also ignored. One of the CMAG members, Sri Lanka, publicly disassociated itself from the organisationÃs decision,” he added.
Filed under
Pakistan,
Rashid Rauf
by Winter Patriot
on Wednesday, December 19, 2007
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]
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]
Daily Times : Rauf’s uncle remanded in police custody
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Rauf’s uncle remanded in police custody
staff report | December 20, 2007
RAWALPINDI: Special Judge Shaukat Ali Sajid on Wednesday granted five-day physical remand of Muhammad Rafiq, uncle of Rashid Rauf, to police.
Rafiq was arrested on Tuesday from his home in Islamabad after Rauf broke away from his two police guards on December 15. An FIR had been registered against Rafiq with Margalla Police Station under sections 223, 224, 128, 161, 162, 109 and 5/2.47. On Wednesday, Rafiq was presented in the court and the judge asked the police to present him on December 24 along with the two police guards.
staff report | December 20, 2007
RAWALPINDI: Special Judge Shaukat Ali Sajid on Wednesday granted five-day physical remand of Muhammad Rafiq, uncle of Rashid Rauf, to police.
Rafiq was arrested on Tuesday from his home in Islamabad after Rauf broke away from his two police guards on December 15. An FIR had been registered against Rafiq with Margalla Police Station under sections 223, 224, 128, 161, 162, 109 and 5/2.47. On Wednesday, Rafiq was presented in the court and the judge asked the police to present him on December 24 along with the two police guards.
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