Inspector General Sindh AD Khawaja on Saturday removed SSP Malir Rao Anwar from his post after the probe committee formed over the extrajudicial killing of Naqeebullah Mehsud found the 27-year-old to be innocent, a notification issued on Saturday stated. IG Sindh AD Khawaja said that further action against him will be taken after the completion of the inquiry.
Adeel Chandio has been appointed as SSP Malir. According to the notification, “Mr Anwar Ahmed Khan, an officer of Sindh Police (BS-18). Senior Superintendent of Police, District Malir, Karachi Range, is transferred and directed to report to CPO Sindh, Karachi with immediate effect and until further orders.”
The probe committee, headed by Counter Terrorism Department Additional IG Sanaullah Abbasi, has termed SSP Rao Anwar’s allegations against Naqeebullah baseless, adding that no such evidence has been found that the deceased had affiliation with any terrorist group or proscribed outfit. The committee has also recommended registering a case against SSP Malir Rao Anwar and other security personnel involved in extra judicial killing of Naqeebullah that sparked countrywide protests. The committee has also suggested that the name of “encounter specialist” Rao Anwar should be placed on the Exit Control List. The Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar on Friday took notice of the extrajudicial killing of Naqeebullah Mehsud during an encounter in Karachi and sought a report from IGP Sindh within seven days. Naqeebullah Mehsud, 27, hailing from South Waziristan and residing in Karachi since 2008, was reportedly aspiring to become a model. He was allegedly apprehended by police in Karachi on January 2, 2018, and was killed on January 17 in a controversial encounter besides three other suspects by a police team headed by Senior Superintendent of Police Rao Anwar in the Usman Khaskheli Goth on the outskirts of Karachi. The extrajudicial killing of Naqeebullah Mehsud during an encounter in Karachi is very sad incident. Whole nation is showing its anger on this murder and demands strict action against SSP Rao Anwar. This fake encounter raises questions on the working and misuse of authority by police officers. Measures should be taken to put check on the use of authority and to prevent such incidents in future. SSP Rao Anwar should be given harsh punishment. We hope family of Naqeebullah Mehsud will get justice soon.
