Mossad, RAW, FBI working in Pakistan, USofficial tells court | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Mossad, RAW, FBI working in Pakistan, USofficial tells court

HYDERABAD- The prosecution on Wednesday gave up the statement of a key witness, Judge of Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) III Karachi, Arshad Noor Khan, who appeared in ATC Hyderabad as a court witness to record his statement with regard to the confessional statement of Shaikh Muhammad Omar Saeed, the prime accused in the kidnapping and murder case of Daniel Pearl, reporter of Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

An American witness, Roralond Banett admitted in the court that the headquarters of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was present in Islamabad. He, however, declined to say whether there existed any office of Israeli intelligence agency, Mossad in Pakistan.

Advocate-General Sindh, Raja Qureshi told a media briefing that the Judge of ATC III Karachi, Arshad Noor, who was requested by the Hyderabad court to appear, did appear but the permission from the superior court (Sindh High Court), was not available with him therefore he could not record his statement.

He said the requirement of Article 4 of Qanoon-e-Shahadat mandated that he (Judge Arshad Noor) had to obtain prior permission from the superior court to appear before ATC, which is subordinate court to that superior court.

He said in order to avoid legal complications statement of Judge Arshad Noor was given up. He, however, said the prosecution has already examined two witnesses on the same point (confessional statement of Shaikh Omar), therefore, there was no loss or gain.

He said when accused Shaikh Omar was produced before Judge Arshad Noor in Karachi, he made four remarks: “I have kidnapped”, “Daniel Pearl has died”, “I do not want to defend myself”, “I know I will be extradited to USA.” He said two to three police officials were present in the courtroom when the statement was given.

He said now the prosecution has three witnesses, including two investigation officers and Marianne Pearl, the wife of slain Daniel Pearl. He said Banett, who is Regional Security Officer (RSO) at the American Consulate, was examined and cross-examined by the defence.

Raja Qureshi said Banett was a conduit between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and local investigators and added that whatever he received in terms of videotape from FBI he passed the same on to local investigation authorities.

When asked to comment when the office of FBI was shifted from Washington to Islamabad, the AG said this question can be answered by them. Defence lawyer Rai Bashir told newsmen that during the cross-examination the American witness de-linked himself from the statement written in Urdu language and submitted in court by investigation officer Hamidullah because he said he did not understand Urdu, neither could he write and speak Urdu.

Rai Bashir said the American witness admitted that the videotape had been moving in different hands and was put in an envelope of American Consulate. He said Banett admitted that secret agencies like Mossad, RAW and FBI were working in Pakistan and the office of FBI was present in Islamabad but he did not know anything about the offices of Mossad and RAW.

With regard to the appearance of Judge Arshad Noor of ATC III Karachi, Rai Bashir said at the time of filing the application by prosecution, the defence cited section 4 of Qanoon-e-Shahadat and informed that court that as Judge Arshad Noor had been the judge in the case, therefore, he cannot record his statement as witness in the same case.

He said despite the objection by the defence, the prosecution despatched the notice to Judge Arshad Noor and added that when he appeared in the court the prosecution pressed him for giving statement with regard to the confessional statement of Shaikh Omar. He said the judge refused to say in the court that Shaikh Omar had confessed before him on which the prosecution submitted an application in which it was stated that Judge Arshad Noor could not give evidence without prior approval from the superior court.

Meanwhile, Barrister Jamil submitted an application in court which said Pearl’s wife Marianne shall be appearing before the court for recording of her evidence subject to doctor’s permission after the delivery of her baby, expected on June 2, 2002.

Source: The News
Date:5/23/2002