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The Naqeebullah Mehsud murder case, which marked the start of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement, brought together the whole country against extra-judicial killings by Pakistan police. Naqeeb Mehsud was a social media celebrity, who was murdered in a fake encounter by disgraced cop Rao Anwar, Ex-SSP Malir, Karachi.
Ever since Naqeeb’s death, Rao Anwar had been on the run, evading Pakistan’s Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) back and forth. Anwar stayed in the country for 10 weeks, without any authority having a clue as to where he was.
Anwar’s arrest is the result of Pakistan’s Pashtun population uniting and protesting against Naqeeb and 444 other Pashtun deaths that have come at the hands of Rao Anwar, the man known for surviving the 92′ Mahajir operation in Karachi. Yesterday, on the hearing of the case, Rao Anwar was produced before the Supreme Court and was arrested at the orders of Chief Justice Saqib Nisar.
Since then, Anwar has been handed over to Karachi police for remand and the hearing would be conducted in a Karachi court today. With the FIR in view, Anwar will be quizzed and the judgement would be based on him being able to prove his innocence in the murder of Naqeeb Mehsud.
A new 5-member Joint Investigation Team has been set up to probe and quiz Anwar on the case. Sindh AIG Aftab Pathan will preside over the unit, while other members include Zulfiqar Larak, Dr Rizwan, Azad Ahmed Khan and Waliullah. The top court of Pakistan has also ordered IG Sindh Police Allah Dino (AD) Khwaja to make sure Rao Anwar is not harmed during the process.
Naqeebullah’s death had sparked countrywide protests, leading to the formation of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement, which had demanded Anwar’s arrest along with recovery of missing Pashtun persons. The Pashtun community of Pakistan had become very vocal against the state-backed atrocities under the newfound face and voice of Manzur Pashteen.
Naqeeb’s father wholeheartedly thanked Pakistan for helping him fight against the atrocity on his son, and stated that Naqeeb was not just his son, but also of Pakistan. Civil-rights activist Muhammad Jibran Nasir also hailed Anwar’s arrest as a victory in the case, stating that no person should be above the rule and write of law in the country.
After Anwar’s surprise arrest, the biggest question unanswered now is that who helped Rao Anwar hide for 10 weeks, that too just 3 kilometers away from the Supreme Court in Abpara, Islamabad.
