Naqeebullah Case: SHC gives time to parties to file reply on bail to Rao Anwar

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday granted more time to the parties to submit their reply over the matter of seeking cancellation of bail granted to key accused former SSP Malir Rao Anwar and others in Naqeebullah Mehsud murder case, ARY News reported.

Investigation officer SSP Dr. Rizwan submitted his reply in the court in hearing of a petition of Naqeebullah’s father Mohammad Khan, seeking from court to cancel the bail of Rao Anwar and other accused.

The investigation officer in his statement said that police is working for arrest of the accused in the case, who has been at large.

The bench directed the parties to submit their replies and adjourned hearing of the case till February 28.

The high court last Friday disposed of a petition seeking cancellation of an earlier Sindh government notification declaring former Malir SSP Rao Anwar’s house as a sub-jail.

The high court’s decision came on request by Naqeebullah’s father Muhammad Khan. Khan’s counsel Faisal Siddiqui during the hearing told the court that his client did not wish to pursue the matter further since the accused had been granted bail in the case.

Earlier, an inquiry report submitted in trial court declared the murder of Mehsud among four people in Karachi an incident of “extra judicial killing.

“All four people including Naqeebullah were killed in a room and the weapons were kept at the scene afterwards,” adding that former Senior Superintendent Police Malir, Rao Anwar and his other accomplices were present at the time of the incident.

Anwar along with other police officials had been booked for allegedly killing four men in a fake police encounter in Shah Latif Town on Jan 13.

The murder had triggered widespread outrage on social media when the family rejected claims that Mehsud was a member of a terrorist outfit and had any criminal record.

On July 11, 2018, the ATC granted bail to Anwar against a surety bond of Rs 1 million.

However, earlier this month, the Supreme Court turned down a petition by Anwar, seeking removal of his name from the Exit Control List (ECL).

A bench of the apex court headed by former chief justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar had rejected the former cop’s plea.

It is pertinent to mention here that Anwar retired from police service on Jan 1 this year.