ISLAMABAD: An Islamabad court has acquitted an US citizen of Pakistani origin and three others in aerial firing and possession of illegal weapon case as prosecution failed to bring home the charges against them to prove its case beyond any shadow of doubt.
US citizen Ahmed Ali Uzair, who is an auxiliary captain in New York Police Department and an imam of a Masjid in New York, was booked by the police among others in a case pertained to aerial firing and possession of illegal weapons in the federal capital of Pakistan, Islamabad.
According to the police, Ahmed Ali along with three others Mohammad Mehmood Sheikh, Khawar Mushtaq and Abdul Rauf were arrested by the police on August 20, 2022 at Islamabad I 9 sector on charges of aerial firing and possession of illegal weapons.
Police said that two pistols, two magazines and 30 rounds were found from the possession of Ahmed who produced arms license to the police however same license number was printed on both pistols and he was charged with aerial firing and possession of illegal weapons.
According to the police, Ahmed Ali had obtained post arrest bail from the court of law in the case but avoided the court proceedings and left the country without intimating the court.
Ali was earlier declared as absconder by the judicial magistrate court’s due to non-appearance before the court despite he was on bail. He again came to Pakistan after obtaining protective pre-arrest bail from the court of the law and surrendered before the court.
The court had recalled the arrest warrants of the Ali and others in the interest of justice and directed him to appear before the Magistrate court and join the proceedings warning him to be careful in future keeping in view of previous conduct of the applicants.
Ahmed Ali stated in his defence that local police only wanted to show their efficiency and progress therefore they falsely registered case against him and other defendants. He stated that he is resident of USA and employee in New York state police whereas co-accused Sheikh Mehmood was permanent resident of USA.
He stated that co-accused Abdul Rauf and Khawar Mushtaq are close old friends who were settled in Pakistan and doing private business. He stated that they don’t have any criminal record and have no earthly reason to retain any illegal arms and police falsely registered the case against them. He stated that one 30 bore pistol was broken and the police deliberately did not obtain any forensic report.
The court after perusal of evidence and hearing arguments of the counsel acquitted the Ahmed Ali and three others observing that prosecution failed to prove charges against them beyond any reasonable doubt.
It is pertinent to mention that Ahmed Ali is not a civil servant in the New York Police Department, but an auxiliary captain who is not paid any salary and is not allowed to carry weapons.
