Naqeeb murder case: Rao Anwar remains at large as SC deadline ends today

ISLAMABAD/KARACHI: The fugitive police officer Rao Anwar continues to evade the law enforcement agencies raiding cities as the deadline given by the Supreme Court to arrest the former SSP expires on Tuesday (today).

Also CTD's Additional Inspector General of Police Dr Sanaullah Abbasi confirmed some arrests in relation to Naqeebullah's murder case, who he said "have also confessed to their crime". The CTD chief, however, withheld any further information.

A Sindh Police team, led by SSP Zulfiqar Mehr, along with personnel of intelligence agencies raided the Sindh House and a local hotel in Islamabad, in the jurisdiction of the Secretariat Police to arrest the suspended officer but he could not be arrested. According to sources, SSP Zulfiqar Mehr, along with the police team, reached Islamabad on Saturday night and his arrival was kept secret from the Islamabad Police initially. Sources said two among the several cell phones of Anwar are registered under the names of Ahsanullah and Khair Muhammad. The raid was conducted as the location of Rao Anwar's mobile, registered under the name of Ahsanullah, established his presence in Islamabad last week and before that at Rahimabad in Rawalpindi. The evasive cop was also spotted near the PIMS Hospital in the G-8 Sector recently. Previously, his location was also traced to Jamshoro. Also, different law enforcement and intelligence agencies with the help of technical support and ground intelligence are coordinating with the Sindh Police and conducting raids to find the fugitive officer.

Besides, the two men who claimed to have been taken into custody along with slain Naqeebullah Mehsud by former Malir SSP Rao Anwar and his team, recorded their statements at a local court in Karachi on Monday. The witnesses said that they had committed no crime but they were picked up and severely tortured by Rao Anwar's police team. They accused Rao and his team of kidnapping them and killing Naqeeb. The judge later sealed their statements.

In a related development, a meeting of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) considered different aspects of the murders of Naqeebullah and two others allegedly by Rao Anwar and his team. CTD's Additional Inspector General of Police Dr Sanaullah Abbasi said police are working on the directives of the apex court and making efforts to bring the culprits to book.

Meanwhile, alongside seeking help of the federal and other provincial governments, Sindh Inspector General AD Khawaja has also elicited the help of intelligence agencies for arresting the suspended SSP Malir. In the letter, the IG Sindh has expressed concerns that Anwar would try to escape to a foreign country.

On Monday, the Sindh government formally suspended District Malir former SSP Rao Anwaar and SP Muhammad Altaf Sarwar Malik, Investigation East-II,and issued a notification. According to the notification, issued by the Sindh Chief Secretary Rizwan Memon, Anwar Ahmed Khan alias Rao Anwaar, and SP Muhammad Altaf Sarwar Malik, Investigation East-II, were placed under suspension on the directives of Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah.

Meanwhile, a jirga, to seek justice for Naqeeb, has warned of backlash if the police failed to present Anwar and his team before the Supreme Court. A jirga member namely Saifur Rehman Mehsood told The News that they had gathered to ensure justice for the family of Naqeeb and said they will continue to hold the proceedings until justice is provided. He said the Awami National Party chief Asfandyaar Wali Khan will join the jirga with his delegation on Tuesday (today), and Jamaat-e-Islami chief Sirajul Haq would join the jirga on Wednesday (tomorrow). The SC is scheduled to hear he case on Thursday (Feb 1).

Agencies/Our Correspondent