Sindh seeks help from other provinces in Rao Anwar’s arrest

KARACHI: The Home Ministry of Sindh wrote a letter to the administrations of all four provinces, Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), and Kashmir late Saturday night in light of the pending arrest of suspended Malir Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rao Anwar and his team with regard to the murder of Waziristan native, Naqeebullah.

The letter detailed the murder case and requested the authorities of the other provinces to help the Sindh government in tracing and tracking down Rao Anwar as he was not appearing in court for the proceedings.

Sindh Home Minister Sohail Anwar Siyal said it was advisable for Anwar to appear in front of the inquiry committee, especially due to the fact that the investigation revealed the encounter he conducted was “fake”.

Anwar needs to state the truth, Siyal noted, adding that upholding the law is obligatory for everyone.

Naqeebullah Mehsud, a 27-year-old native of Waziristan, was among four suspected terrorists killed in an ‘exchange of fire’ with a police team led by the then-Malir SSP Rao Anwar on January 13 in Shah Latif Town, Karachi.

Following claims of innocence from Naqeebullah’s family, an inquiry committee was formed, after which Anwar and the raiding police party officials went off the radar. Anwar and his associates were also suspended by the government and an FIR was registered against them owing to their no-show and involvement in the case.

The home ministry’s letter also mentioned the pending arrest of Zareen Dawar, the person who, on social media, offered a bounty on Anwar’s head.

A team was also set up to arrest the fugitive police official and his accomplices, Geo News reported, with Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Saqib Nisar ordering Anwar to be taken into custody in three days.

On Saturday, Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP) AD Khowaja urged Anwar to “face the court” and adopt a “legal course” of action rather than continue evading detention.

Speaking to the media outside the Supreme Court, Khowaja weighed in over the “disappearance” of the suspended police officer.

“I think that [Rao Anwar] should face the court and court a legal course. The court will listen to his legal arguments,” he said.