Cases against Ismail Dahiri being re-investigated

KARACHI: In compliance with a Sindh High Court (SHC) order, an investigation has been launched into eight cases registered against Ismail Dahiri, former advisor to Sindh Chief Minister.

The cases are being re-examined by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Siraj Lashari, an officer from Rapid Response Force (RRF) Hyderabad. He has been entrusted with the task of re-investigating the cases.

Following the directions of IGP Ghulam Nabi Memon, DIG (Crime and Investigation Branch) Amir Farooqi assigned the task of change of investigation from Shaheed Banzirabad and Hyderabad police to DSP Siraj Lashari.

Change of investigation has been ordered in eight cases. Six cases are registered against Ismail Dahiri, his brothers, family members and aides in district Shaheed Benazirabad, Khairpur Nathan Shah, district Dadu, and Hyderabad. Interestingly, except for two cases registered by police, other six cases were filed by members of Dahiri’s own community, including individuals such as Azeem Dahiri, Dildar Dahiri, Awais Dahiri and others.

Ismail Dahiri, who had previously enjoyed significant influence in the region, is now facing problems. He has been granted bail in two of the cases registered against him in Shaheed Benazirabad district, but remains in jail in connection with remaining six cases.

On October 30, 2024, SHC issued a restraining order preventing Sindh police from registering additional cases against Dahiri. The court also directed formation of investigation committee led by an officer of at least the rank of DSP. The court instructed jail authorities to provide medical treatment to Dahiri, who is reportedly suffering from heart disease.

Dahiri and those close to him strongly reject charges against him as politically motivated.

Ismail Dahiri’s sister Hameeda Dahiri filed a petition seeking to stop filing more cases against him.

On September 22, 2024, Ismail Dahiri, along with his driver, was arrested from Hyderabad, where police claimed they recovered 5kg of hashish and illegal Ak-47 rifle from his vehicle.

The petitioner claimed Ali Mustafa Dahiri, son of Ismail Dahiri, was abducted by police from Memon Goth, Malir, Karachi, and cases were registered against his brothers and family members. ‘Ismail Dahiri is suffering from heart disease, but jail authorities are not providing treatment to him. The police raid his village daily. All men of his family are in jail, only women are left’, the petition concluded.