High-profile suspect: Former adviser to CM arrested by police

Ismail Dahari has reportedly been held over charges of kidnapping and extortion.

HYDERABAD: A former adviser to the Sindh Government, Ismail Dahiri, has been arrested over charges of kidnapping and extortion. The police have, however, not officially disclosed the arrest.

According to police sources, Ismail was picked up along with three other suspects from Dahiri House in Daulatpur taluka. The Rangers and police conducted the joint raid.

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

The raid was conducted in the wake of a foiled robbery bid on April 6 at the residence of the general manager of Al Noor sugar mills, Amjad Javed Abbasi. Ismail's brother, Bakshan Dahiri, was killed in the guard's firing to resist the robbery.

Sher Muhammad Dahiri, a relative of Ismail, confirmed the arrest. "He is a notable person. Police have arrested him without any reason". According to him, Dahiri's health has been poor for many days and long confinement without medical help can expose him to health risks.

The Daulatpur and Nawabshah police did not confirm the arrest. Police sources say, however, that Dahiri is nominated in several criminal cases.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 19^th, 2015.