On the other hand, Inspector General Sindh A.D. Khawaja has ordered immediate release of MQM Pakistan leader and his transfer to the office of DIG South.
Adviser to chief minister, Maula Bux Chandio said the SSP had been suspended for his taking an illegal step.
Related: Rao Anwar says his suspension doesn’t mean Izhar’s release
Izhar was later moved to Karachi police chief’s office and was later released.
Earlier, the SSP Malir Rao Anwar detained MQM leader Khwaja Izhar from his residence without underlining any reason. Earlier, police personnel raided Izhar’s residence in search of a suspect. The MQM leader, who is also Opposition Leader in the Sindh Assembly said he didnt have any idea why police was detaining him.
Rao Anwar insisted that he arrested Izhar ‘as per law’. He maintained that the MQM leader had cases registered against him that led to his detention.
Chief Minister Sindh said Rao Anwar must face punishment for his wrongdoing.
Exclusive footage: Khwaja Izhar being taken into custody
Soon after police raid on Hasan’s home, SSP Malir Rao Anwar issued a media statement, saying his team conducted raid following reports of presence of 12 May 2007 attack suspects in the political leader’s house.
PTI condemns arrest of Izharul Hasan
PTI Karachi leader Ali Zaidi says he condemns the way Khwaja Izhar was arrested. Speaking to ARY News, Zaidi said SSP Rao Anwar should have produced arrest warrants to family of MQM leader before detaining him.
” I do have strong differences with the MQM leaders and I believe most of their leaders are involved in some crime, but the way Khwaja Izhar was taken into custody was inappropriate. I condemn it,” he added.
Arrest without warrant is condemnable: MQM
Speaking to media after the arrest, senior MQM leader Farooq Sattar said he repeatedly asked for arrest warrants from SSP Rao Anwar, but the police officer didn’t show them.
This arrest in public could not have been more humiliating. Me, on behalf of MQM-Pakistan, strongly condemn this act, he said.
Sattar said this issue was not linked with statements coming from London nor anti-Pakistan slogans, but this is a pure matter of MQM-hatred and crushing Muhajir community.
He asked police to elaborate details of suspects hiding in Izhar’s residence. “Not a single person was present at Khwaja Izhar’s home and police entered their home without lady searchers.”
“We appeal to Army Chief General Raheel Sharif, Sindh’s corps commander, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and other relevant figures to take notice of this situation.”
Earlier, Izhar said cops arrived at his place, conducted search and left. “They didn’t tell the reason behind their visit.”
Izharul Hasan was at the Sindh Assembly when the police personnel conducted a raid at his house.
‘We are ready for mass arrest after this humiliation’
Sattar said his party leaders were now ready for ‘mass arrest’ following this humiliation at the hands of some elements.
The people of Karachi would no more tolerate this attitude, he added.
He expressed surprise that 12 May case had now become the most important case despite Model Town brutality in Lahore that claimed over a dozen lives.
Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has taken notice of the raid and sought report from inspector general police Sindh.
SHO Sohrab Goth Police Station was also suspended following orders of the chief minister.
CM Sindh takes notice of raid on Kh Izhar’s house by arynews