ATC issues arrest warrants for 12 suspects at large

SSP Rao Anwar's lawyer conclude arguments on his bail plea

KARACHI: While hearing the Naqeebullah murder case, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) issued on Wednesday arrest warrants for former SHO Amanullah Marwat, police officer Shoaib 'Shooter' and 10 other suspects.

Former Malir SSP Rao Anwar and other detained suspects were produced before the ATC. SSP Anwar's lawyer Amir Mansoob concluded his arguments on the bail plea of his client.

The lawyer maintained that the prosecution had failed to present any evidence against the former Malir SSP nor could it establish his presence at the incident scene.

The court asked the lawyer how did the deceased received bullets in their back if the encounter was not fake, to which Mansoob replied that since his client was not present at the site, he could not answer the question.

The lawyer went on to argue that there was a contradiction in the statements of the plaintiff and eyewitnesses regarding the date on which Naqeebullah was abducted.



Regarding the issue of declaring SSP Anwar's house as sub-jail, the lawyer stated that the matter was being heard by the Sindh High Court (SHC) and its verdict on the issue should be awaited.

The ATC expressed its displeasure over the authorities' failure in presenting the final challan of the two cases in which SSP Anwar and others had been booked. Why the challan of the case booked under the Arms and Explosives Act has not been presented, the court asked.

The court was informed that the investigation officer, SSP Dr Rizwan, could not be present as he had to attend another hearing at the SHC. A police officer submitted the IO's exemption application to the ATC.

The ATC issued arrest warrants for 12 suspects booked in the two cases who are still at large. The plaintiff's lawyer, Salahuddin Panhwar, and a counsel for the government will present their arguments on the case today (Thursday).