News Analysis |
Punjab’s infamous encounter-specialist, Abid Boxer claimed that Chief Minister (CM) Shehbaz Sharif ordered him many times to indulge in extra-judicial police encounters to murder his opponents. Police encounters are not possible without the permission of the CM, he added.
The ill-famed ex-policeman has been deported from Dubai and has been shifted to Karachi. Earlier, he was arrested in Dubai on February 7 with the help of Interpol. After his arrest, the UAE authorities had asked the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to provide details of criminal cases registered against the former inspector.
While speaking to Mubashar Luqman on his TV program, reflecting upon one of the police encounters, the notorious ex-cop confessed that he was working as a ‘SHO Sabzazar’, when a senior officer called him and clearly said that CM Shehbaz Sharif wants these five people to be murdered in Sabzazar. Abid refused so then Shehbaz ordered his left-hand man Omar Virq to accomplish this task. Abid further argued that it was fake police encounters that took place in his presence.
Shehbaz Sharif tipped to be the next PM of Pakistan, he must come clean on these very serious allegations which otherwise could potentially create another pandora box of accusations after the 2018 general elections which could again spark political unrest and disruptions.
He insisted that these killings were not possible unless CM wanted them and mentioned that he was personally involved in many fake-encounters at the behest of CM Punjab. Over the years boxer had continued this rhetoric in personal gatherings in Dubai and elsewhere and always accused CM Punjab of fake-encounters, according to sources.
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PTI pressing PML-N over Police Killings
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan lambasted Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif for allegedly running encounter specialists in Punjab to kill those creating a hindrance in his way to ascendency in Punjab politics.
Opposition leader Mian Mehmood ul Rasheed also said in a TV interview with a private news channel that it was CM Shehbaz Sharif who started the extra-judicial killings in Punjab after 1997 and killed dozens of people in fake encounters without prosecution.
Abid Boxer must have the details of these killings and he may explain these unfortunate killings during the investigations, he added. Acknowledging the delicacy of the situation, PTI has demanded that Boxer should not be handed over to Federal or Punjab government and security agencies must stay diligent to protect the accused.
Abid Boxer will come up with stories of his own reflecting the secretive modus operandi of the ruling political leaders in Punjab, which used the police to increase political influence and extend dominance over the province.
Moreover, PTI demanded Joint Investigation Team (JIT) for a probe into Abid Boxer’s claims.
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Who is this Notorious ex-cop?
Abid Boxer was famous for his influence in political and showbiz circles and became a symbol of terror during the 1990’s after getting involved in fake-encounters, connections with the underworld and land grabbing. Hailing from Chakwal district, he joined the police force as an assistant sub-inspector in 1988 on the sports quota and was nick named boxer for this.
He rose to fame after torturing stage actress Nargis and allegedly cutting off her hair and shaving off her eye-brows after she did not meet his demand of Rs. 10 million and property documents. He was feared in the showbiz circle for his brutality and violence after this incident.
Powerful political elite may have protected Abid and his aides during the era of dozens of killings in fake-encounters. After his dismissal from the force, he fled the country. Boxer stayed put in several countries before settling in UAW, Dubai. He was brought back to Pakistan after 11-years on the run.
Abid refused so then Shehbaz ordered his left-hand man Omar Virq to accomplish this task. Abid further argued that it was fake police encounters that took place in his presence.
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Abid Boxer could be another Uzair Baloch
His public confessions clearly pointed out that fake encounters in the said provinces whether in Punjab or Sindh were done at the orders of the CM and were conveyed through senior police officers.
Abid Boxer case can be termed synonymous to Uzair Baloch of Karachi who confessed to committing criminal activities with the involvement of Karachi police and political leaders of the province. Similar stories are shared by the notorious Boxer who alleges to have been used as a tool to settle scores with political opponents.
The way Uzair spilled the beans and gave details of extortions from different persons and government departments in the province, surely, Abid Boxer will come up with stories of his own reflecting the secretive modus operandi of the ruling political leaders in Punjab, which used the police to increase political influence and extend dominance over the province.
With Shehbaz Sharif tipped to be the next PM of Pakistan, he must come clean on these very serious allegations which otherwise could potentially create another pandora box of accusations after the 2018 general elections which could again spark political unrest and disruptions.