Suspect in Sharif’s lawyer murder case nabbed

The official said that Asif, who was earlier rounded up in 1995 for his alleged involvement in transporting illegal weapons, resembled one of the photographs and sketches shown to eyewitnesses to help identify Raad’s assassins.

"Despite these facts, resemblance did not alone matter and we have to review the things in their perspective. He might be involved in the killings but after initial interrogation, the police have not reached to definite clue about the suspects," English daily The Dawn quoted the official as saying.

He said the police have been probing various aspects of the case.

Meanwhile, Nawaz Sharif today convinced the lawyers defending him against a possible death sentence to return to court and drop a demand to shift his trial out of Karachi.

Lead defence lawyer Khawaja Sultan told newsmen froom Lahore that after talking to Sharif he would return to Karachi and meet Sharif on Wednesday morning.

“We will see the security measures and consult with our client… If our client wants us in Karachi we will have to do so,” Sultan said.

Sharif’s lawyers stayed away from the proceedings for two court sessions after one of their colleagues, Iqbal Raad, was gunned down in his office in Karachi on Friday, and had demanded that the trial be shifted out of the port city.

Prosecutors had opposed shifting the venue, and said the government was prepared to provide full security to the defence team, most of whom are from other parts of Pakistan.

Judge Rehmat Hussain Jafri called an adjournment today to allow Sharif to call Sultan in Lahore.

Raja Qureshi, advocate-general for Sindh province, told newsmen Jafri had adjourned the hearing until next Monday, when the prosecution will begin its final arguments. The defence is expected to start its final arguments on March 24.

Qureshi said that he spoke to Sultan on behalf of the Sindh Government and assured him the defence team “will be provided full security, including accommodation if they so desire”.