Family of missing al-Qaeda suspect wants information
IRNA
Islamabad, Dec 30, IRNA -- Family members of an Arab-Canadian national has filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court of Pakistan, seeking information about the whereabouts of the two al-Qaeda suspects, who have been missing following an operation against Taliban and al-Qaeda in South Waziristan in October this year. Maha Elsamna, wife of Ahmad Saeed Khadr, prayed in her petition that the family has no information about her spouse and son Abdul Karim, 14, after the October 2 operation. "We had been receiving letters from him till September but no letter has been received after October 2," she said. The petitioners sought information that whether the father and son are alive or died. The petition filed by Hashmat Ali Habib asked the court to direct the government to disclose the confirmed information and facts regarding the fate of Ahmed Saeed Khadr and his son Abdul Karim to the petitioners and if they are alive and in the custody of any agency under the control and supervision of the government or any other governmental department, the petitioners be allowed to meet them and provide all legal help in accordance with law of the land. The petition said that Ahmad Saeed Khadr was carrying out humanitarian projects for the general masses in Afghanistan and Pakistan since 1983. The petition contended that the Khadr family`s stay in Pakistan as well as in Afghanistan remained transparent valid and legal as they always observed the law of land but due to the Taliban government`s decision and disturbance caused by American, the family had no chance to get visa to enter Pakistan and return to their country, Canada, therefore they had no option except to stay in their school in loger and continued their services. Later on Americans with the aid of anti-Taliban forces raided at the school and shattered the family. The Petitioner No. 1 and 2 along with many others were pushed to area which falls within Pakistan territory. They along with minor girls managed to reach Islamabad but remained unaware about the welfare of other family members. The petitioners` contended in their appeal that on October 2, 2003 , an operation was conducted by the political agent of South Waziristan under the permission and direction of the government of Pakistan wherein a number of persons were killed and also arrested. This incident was covered by international and national media and statements were made by Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad that Abdul Karim has been killed and Ahmad Saeed Khadr is not killed, the petition said. It said that some of the newspapers carried news of death of Ahmad Saeed Khadr and some newspapers reported that Ahmad Saeed from Egypt is amongst the persons who were arrested during the operation and taken to unknown destination for investigation. "We had done our best to find out the facts regarding the whereabouts of the both father and son or to locate the place of their detention or their fate but all in vain," the petitioners said. "We are entitled to know the fate of father and son who have been reportedly arrested or killed in Wana Operation and conflicting news are spread about their fate," they said. The petition contended that Abdul Saeed Khadr and his 14 year old son Abdul Karim were innocents. "They have served the suffering humanity as declared by their conscious and teaching of Islam and instead of appreciating their services they have become victims of circumstances and American terrorism just because although they are Canadian Nationals but originally Arabs Muslims," the petition said. /TSH/MM/212 END
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