Raees Mama identified in another murder case

Former Korangi sector in-charge of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Raeesuddin alias Raees Mama was again identified in three cases of murder and possession of illegal arms registered in the Landhi police station.

Raees, who is now said to be an activist of MQM-London, was produced on Tuesday before the Judicial Magistrate (East) who arranged for his appearance in a line-up of 10 people. However, eye-witnesses identified Raees at first sight and termed him the key accused in the murder of Ali Hussain in Korangi Town in 2013.

Some other witnesses also identified Raees as the key accused involved in the killing of police officer Shah Muhammad in 2012 in the same area. The accused was later produced before an anti-terrorism court (ATC) for the case pertaining to the attack on the then deputy commissioner Zubair Channa in 2014.

The investigation officer (IO) prayed to the court to grant physical remand of the accused for interrogation and the court accepted remand till April 16. Raees has already been identified by eye-witnesses as the key accused in the cases of the murder of a police officer Ejaz Hussain Shah and two police constables in the Korangi Industrial Area. He was also identified as an accused in cases pertaining to sabotaging and terrorist activities within the limits of Awami Colony police station in 2001.

Korangi police took Raees into custody at the Karachi Airport last month after Malaysia extradited him. He was wanted in multiple murder, extortion and China-cutting cases.

He is also the primary accused in the Chakra Goth attack on a police van that left three officials dead and 27 wounded. He was arrested in Malaysia this January after his Red Notice was issued by Interpol.

Raees’ name had been added to the exit-control list on the request of intelligence agencies in 2015. The suspect is also said to be the front man of Hammad Siddiqui, a primary accused in the Baldia Town garment factory arson.

Raees allegedly played an important role in sectarian and ethnic target killings. He is also accused of earning millions of rupees through China-cutting in Bagh-e-Korangi in Mehran Town.

Cases against Dr Asim An anti-terrorism court granted permission to former federal petroleum minister Dr Asim Hussain to leave the country from April 10 to April 18.

He had earlier moved an application seeking permission to go abroad for medical treatment. Dr Asim Hussain along with others, including Wasim Akhtar, Anis Qaimkhani, Saleem Shehzad, Qadir Patel and Usman Moazzam, is facing a terrorism case wherein he was alleged to have provided medical treatment to some terrorists and outlaws on the behest of other co-accused. Meanwhile, an accountability court also adjourned the hearing of a Rs462 billion corruption reference against the former federal minister and other co-accused till April 18.