The Pakistan Rangers Sindh on Thursday interrogated Abdul Qadir Patel, a senior Pakistan People’s Party leader, about his alleged role in gangland violence, land encroachment and corruption.
Patel was grilled at the headquarters of the paramilitary force for five hours before being taken to an undisclosed location. Sources said the Rangers are expected to seek 90-day remand of the PPP leader.
The sources further said notorious gangster and former chief of banned People’s Amman Committee (PAC) Uzair Jan Baloch was also present during the interrogation. Patel conceded that several PPP leaders used to seek help from PAC chief.
When asked about the murder of Khalid Shehenshah, Benazir Bhutto’s security chief, Patel said he was not aware of the murderer, despite having close ties with Baloch. Patel alleged that former PPP leader and Sindh home minister Zulfiqar Mirza used to oversee matters then.
Rangers personnel kept pressing him for an answer stating that Baloch, who is in paramilitary custody had named him [Qadir Patel] and some other PPP leaders as planners of the murder.
An investigation officer asked him as to how he and his family had become so rich and what their source of income was. Unable to come up with an answer, Patel complained of a headache and high blood pressure after which the interrogation stopped for a while, sources said.
