Zardari’s close aide arrested, weapons seized

NAWABSHAH: A joint team of Rangers and Police conducted a search operation in Nawabshah and arrested Ismail Dahiri, a close aide of Pakistan People’s Party co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari.

Dahiri was wanted to law enforcement agencies in a number of cases. The arrested accused has been shifted to an undisclosed location for investigation.

The joint team arrested Ismail Dahiri and others after a raid on his residence here and recovered five Kalashnikovs, 12 magazines, dozens of mobile phones and other valuable stuff.

According to reports, around 40 people were also arrested alongside Dahiri in the raid, but they were released soon after.

Daulatpur SHO Imamuddin Marfani confirmed the raid to media persons and recovery of arms but didn’t speak on the raid in detail.

Dahiri served the Sindh chief minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah’s provincial cabinet during the last Pakistan Peoples Party government.

He is said to be very influential person dictating terms in the matters of provincial government.

In 2015, Ismail Dahiri was arrested under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) ordinance and upon the expiry of the detention term, he was detained for another 90 days. He was released right after completion of the second term.