ATC indicts TNSM’s Sufi Muhammad, 19 others

PESHAWAR: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) here Monday indicted Chief of defunct Tanzim Nifaz e Shariat Muhammadi (TNSM), Sufi Muhammad and 19 others accused including two of his close aides charged by Khwazakhela police station for kidnapping policemen and challenging Government's writ in 1995.

The court presided over by ATC judge, Syed Asim Imam also framed charges against 19 others accused including key TNSM leaders Maulana Khalid and Maulana Safiullah in the same case and adjourned the hearing till May 15.

The court indicted the accused after their refusal to accept the allegations. The proceeding was held at Central Jail Peshawar amid tight security. In 1995, the Khwazakhela Police Station had charged Maulana Sufi Muhammad and his aides on charges of kidnapping policemen and hatching conspiracies against the state.

Most of the cases against the TNSM chief were registered in 1994
onwards when he had stepped up his movement for enforcement of Shariah in Malakand Division.

The TNSM workers occupied several government installations and allegedly murdered lawmaker Badiuzzaman and other political opponents in 1994 and made police and court officials hostage. (APP)