A Routine Affair: SSP Rao Anwar reinstated yet again

Both the provincial CM and PM intervened in the high-profile arrest by Anwar in a clear effort to ease the tensions

KARACHI: The Sindh government on Saturday reinstated SSP Rao Anwar after over a month-long suspension. He was suspended for illegally arresting Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Khawaja Izharul Hassan. However, a notification issued by the provincial authorities said that the police officer has yet to face disciplinary proceedings. On September 16, Hassan was arrested and released five hours later in a rare move by the Sindh police that triggered a political firestorm. Both the provincial CM and the PM intervened in the high-profile arrest by Anwar in a clear effort to ease the tensions between the government and MQM.

Later on, the police officer challenged his suspension in the Sindh High Court. According to Anwar’s petition, the raid was conducted to arrest Hassan and was done in accordance with the law.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 20^th, 2016.