KARACHI: A Special Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) has summoned former Supreme Court Justice Maqbool Baqar to record his testimony in the high-profile case involving a terrorist attack on his convoy. The court noted that the statements of the former justice and the investigating officer (IO) are yet to be recorded. During the recent hearing, jail authorities produced the accused—identified as Masoom alias Billu, Yasir, and Muawiya—who are allegedly associated with a banned organization.
Background of the Case The attack occurred in June 2013 when Justice Maqbool Baqar was en route to the Sindh High Court. The powerful blast targeted the Justice’s convoy, resulting in a devastating scene in the heart of Karachi. The attack claimed the lives of seven people, including security personnel assigned to the Justice’s detail, while one attacker was also killed in the blast. Justice Maqbool Baqar sustained severe injuries in the assassination attempt, along with several others.
The case remains one of the most significant trials involving attacks on the judiciary in Pakistan. The ATC has now directed the former justice to appear and provide his statement to proceed with the legal formalities.