KARACHI: A local court on Thursday dismissed a petition, filed by Sindh Rangers against Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM)’s nominated mayor Waseem Akhtar.
The court was conducting a hearing regarding the petition to stop Waseem Akhtar, who had earlier been allowed to travel for his medical check-up, from traveling abroad.
Akhtar’s lawyer stated that his client was the nominated mayor and would run Karachi even from prison.
The legal representative of the Rangers stated that Waseem Akhtar had earlier been allowed to travel abroad for his medical check-up.
However, this time around he has not specified the reason for going abroad, said the Rangers’ lawyer.
The Rangers lawyer also stated that a decision was about to be taken on Waseem Akhtar’s temporary bail.
“If Waseem Akhtar travels outside the country, he will not return,” said the Rangers’ lawyer.
Waseem Akhtar retorted by stating that he was the nominated mayor and elected union council chairman. “I respect the courts. My family is here, I will not run away,” said Akhtar.
Akhtar’s lawyer told the court that Rangers’ powers to detain a particular person for 90 days also did not exist anymore.
“If Waseem Akhtar wanted to run, why would he come and seek permission from the court?” said Akhtar’s lawyer. “Waseem Akhtar has arrived here. He does not want to run away.”
