Naqeebullah encounter: Prime witness retracts statement against Anwar

Says police coerced, tortured him into giving statement against former SSP

KARACHI: The prime witness in Naqeebullah Mehsud 'encounter' case on Monday retracted his statement, accusing Sindh Police of coercing him into making a confession implicating former SSP Rao Anwar.

The development came during the hearing of the case in an anti-terrorism court in Karachi where police presented 11 suspects including Anwar, DSP Qamar Ahmed Shaikh, Allahyar, Iqbal and Arshad. Anwar walked in without handcuffs, escorted by a VIP protocol.

During the proceedings, witness Shahzad Jahangir back-tracked form his statement and said he had no knowledge of the extra-judicial killing of Naqeeubullah. “The police coerced, subjected me to torture to give statement against Anwar.”

Jahangir requested the court for security, saying he feared for his life.

Expressing dismay over police’s failure to nab suspects at large, the court issued non-bailable warrants for 11 missing accomplices of Anwar, including SHO Amanullah Marwat and former SHO Shoaib Shooter.



Meanwhile, the counsel for Anwar filed an application requesting transfer to B-class jail from the current C-class in Karachi’s Central Jail. Pointing out that Anwar had not been convicted of a crime, the application sought permission for holding him in B-class jail.

Tribal leaders and family of Naqeebullah objected to the VIP protocol being extended to the prime accused. They said Anwar was an accused and should be brought before the court in the manner befitting an ordinary suspect.

The counsel for Naqeebullah also challenged Anwar’s application for B-class jail. Lamenting the decision to declare Malir Cantt Police Station as a subj-jail for Rao Anwar, he said that providing relief to Anwar on a single phone call appears to be  a fraud. “The court should have passed a written order to permit declaration of a sub-jail for the suspect.”

After hearing arguments from both sides, the court adjourned hearing until May 19 and advised Anwar to present further arguments to make his case for his pleas pertaining to bail and transfer to B-class jail. The court hinted at indicting the suspects in the next hearing.



Speaking to the media, Anwar said whoever had reservations on the charge sheet against him should approach the court with their arguments. He said the arguments against the challan will be made in the next hearing.