News Analysis |
The Supreme Court of Pakistan has today ordered all-state institutions including intelligence agencies to facilitate the Sindh Police in tracking down the suspended SSP Rao Anwar. The Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar has set a 10-day deadline for Sindh police to arrest Rao Anwar. Besides, CJP has ordered media houses not to air any statement from SSP Rao Anwar.
The SC has also ordered the DG Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to contact Interpol authorities outside Pakistan regarding the arrest of Anwar, in case, he has slipped outside Pakistan’s jurisdiction. Though, Deputy Attorney General Sohail Mahmood submitted a report confirming that Anwar is still residing in Pakistan.
PPP leaders also attacked Punjab government on Zainab’s case. In return, PML-N leaders are using the SSP Anwar’s disappearance to gain political mileage. It is a gruesome game played by these political parties.
Despite the initial 3-day deadline that expired on January 30th, Sindh Police is yet to arrest suspended Malir SSP Rao Anwar in connection with the murder of Naqeebullah Mehsud.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sindh AD Khawaja had earlier written to intelligence agencies seeking their assistance in locating SSP Anwar. Previously speaking to the media outlets, he had stated, “We will try our best to arrest him [SSP Anwar].”
Responding to the failure of the Sindh Police, CJP remarked that for failing to fulfill the court orders, contempt proceedings against him [IGP AD Khawajha] would be initiated at the appropriate time.
Read more: Rao Anwar’s name placed on Exit Control List
IG Sindh submitted inquiry report to SC
AD Khawaja submitted the inquiry report on Naqeebullah’s murder case, which informed the court that they are unable to locate the Whatsapp calls and his mobile was last functioning in Tarnol, Rawalpindi as per the record obtained thus far.
Recent high profile rape and murder cases have exposed the opportunist and heartless political class that needs to seriously have a rethink, if it is to achieve any moral grounds to regain lost respect.
According to the report, an investigation into the case reflects that the January 13th encounter of Naqeebullah Mehsud was prima facie a staged encounter and the deceased was picked along with his two friends on January 3rd from a tea shop-Sher Agha Hotel located at Abul Hassan Ispahani Road Karachi.
They were kept under illegal confinement. After brutal torture, Ali and Qasim were released after 3-days, but Mehsud was killed in a fake encounter on January 13th. The investigation declared it a coordinated fake encounter with different police officers, transporting Mehsud from one place to another.
There is no evidence of the involvement of Naqeebullah in any terrorist activities. He was a regular fun loving guy with a penchant for modeling. The investigation contradicts the prior statement of Anwar in front of media, which portrayed him a terrorist.
As Zardari looks to make a comeback in Punjab, PML-N is trying to devise a counter-strategy, and Khawaja Saad’s rhetoric is focused on containing Zardari’s aggression and countering him by using the same language in Sindh by highlighting the failures of the PPP government.
An inquiry has found SSP Anwar obstructing the process of justice and even made an unsuccessful attempt to leave the country from Islamabad on fake documents.
Having seen the Pakistan People Party (PPP) led Sindh, struggle to tackle the highly publicized cases, Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) senior leadership has launched scathing attacks on PPP.
Read more: Rao Anwar has the right to a transparent investigation: Bilawal
PML-N trying to politicize SSP Anwar’s disappearance?
Minister of State for Power Abid Sher Ali has demanded to raid Zardari House to recover former Malir SSP Rao Anwar. He praised Nawaz Sharif for his efforts to restore peace in Pakistan’s financial capital.
Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique on his arrival in the city posted a message on Twitter showing his utter disgust having seen the piles of garbage along the sides of the Shahrah-e-Faisal.
He condemned PPP’s co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari for destroying Karachi- the city of Pakistan’s founder Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Continuing his criticism of the PPP leadership, he remarked that PPP had abandoned the city to the mercy of criminals.
PPP & PML-N exchanging war of words
Recently, PPP collaborated with other opposition parties to support Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri’s demonstration against the government for its alleged involvement in the Model Town killings on June 17th 2014.
There is no evidence of the involvement of Naqeebullah in any terrorist activities. He was a regular fun loving guy with a penchant for modeling. The investigation contradicts the prior statement of Anwar in front of media, which portrayed him a terrorist.
Both parties, PPP & PML-N have exchanged heated blows recently. While, speaking to media, Zardari unleashed verbal attacks on the incompetency of the government. Zardari remarked “With six cars ahead, six cars behind his (Nawaz) vehicle, how can he claim himself to be a victim? We were the ones who were victimized and taken in armored vehicles”. Zardari is also accused of horse-trading in Punjab for upcoming Senate elections.
As Zardari looks to make a comeback in Punjab, PML-N is trying to devise a counter-strategy, and Khawaja Saad’s rhetoric is focused on containing Zardari’s aggression and countering him by using the same language in Sindh by highlighting the failures of the PPP government.
Read more: Innocent Naqeebullah killed in fake encounter: Inquiry Report
PPP leaders also attacked Punjab government on Zainab’s case. In return, PML-N leaders are using the SSP Anwar’s disappearance to gain political mileage. It is a gruesome game played by these political parties.
It is precisely the same tactic that PML-N has used against PTI after its failure to arrest the murderers of a recent murder and rape victims in KPK. Recent high profile rape and murder cases have exposed the opportunist and heartless political class that needs to seriously have a rethink, if it is to achieve any moral grounds to regain lost respect.