Controversy abounds as MQM worker dies in custody

KARACHI: An arrested fire department official – said to be affiliated with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement – died in custody at the Karachi Central Prison on Sunday, of what officials described as medical complications.

According to police officials, the deceased, Mehmood Khan, died of cardiac arrest. It was said that the prisoner, who was a known diabetes patient, complained of chest pains and was shifted for medical treatment, but his life could not be saved. 

Soon after the death was reported, a spokesman for the Sindh police said IGP AD Khowaja has taken strong notice of Khan’s alleged death during treatment at the Civil Hospital Karachi and, having appointed DIG East Kamran Fazal as the inquiry officer, called for a detailed report to be submitted at the earliest. 

The MQM leadership too expressed concerns over Khan’s death with Khawaja Izhar ul Hassan confirming that Khan was a party worker who had been arrested by the Malir police on charges of involvement in the May 12, 2007 violence. Prior to that, Dr Farooq Sattar also said that he would be sharing details regarding Khan’s death at a press conference scheduled to be held on Monday (today).

Sharing information about the deceased prisoner, SSP Malir Rao Anwaar said Khan had held dual government jobs – one in the police and the other in the city’s fire department – over the past decade.

The SSP said Khan had been arrested around 12 days ago from the North Karachi fire station over his involvement in murder cases registered against him with the Peerabad, Orangi Town and Garden police. 

He added that, six days ago, Khan was handed over in judicial custody and claimed that the prisoner had been declared medically fit at the time of hearing. 

Anwaar said the deceased was wanted by the police for multiple cases and was absconding since 1995. The officer also accused Khan of having been involved in the May 12, 2007 violence.

“During investigations we came to know that Khan joined the Sindh Police in the 1990s and had been dismissed from service in 1992 after it was found that he was working as an informant for a particular political party,” said SSP Anwaar. The officer added that Khan was kept away from the police after his dismissal from service, but in 2005, was reinstated in the police force and posted at the Azizabad police station. The SSP claimed Khan was one among a number of ghost employees in the police and continued to draw his monthly salary despite hardly ever being present at work. 

“Khan later also acquired a position with the Karachi fire brigade department where he was working till his recent arrest,” said the SSP, adding that the deceased was drawing salaries from two government departments.