Malir SSP Rao Anwar was reinstated by Sindh government on Saturday.
He had been suspended from service in September after arresting Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM) leader MPA Khawaja Izharul Hassan.
A notification issued by the Sindh government stated: “With the approval of the competent authority, Mr Anwar Ahmed Khan (BS-18) Senior Superintendent of Police, whose services were placed under suspension vide this department’s order is hereby re-instated in service with immediate effect, pending disciplinary proceedings.”
On September 16, police raided the residence of Izhar, who also leads the opposition in the Sindh Assembly. The MQM leader along with his party colleagues was in a meeting with Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah at the time. When he returned home in Buffer Zone, he was taken into custody by the Malir SSP over his alleged involvement in the May 12, 2007 violence.
Khawaja Izharul Hassan’s arrest created a political storm and the Sindh chief minister and the prime minister had to intervene. The Sindh government said that MPA could not be arrested without taking permission from Sindh Assembly speaker. Hassan was set free five hours later. The Sindh government had then suspended Anwar from service, calling his action illegal.
On September 19, Anwar had challenged the decision in the Sindh High Court, maintaining that the raid was conducted in accordance with the law.