Police register two FIRs against Haleem, others

Complaint challenging razing of properties lodged at Memon Goth police station

KARACHI:

Following an anti-encroachment drive in Malir on Saturday, two FIRs pertaining to the matter were registered against opposition leader in the Sindh Assembly Haleem Adil Shaikh and a complaint challenging the demolition operation was lodged at different police stations.

On Sunday, the Memon Goth Police registered an FIR against opposition leader in the Sindh Assembly Haleem Adil Sheikh and around 60 to 70 more persons, primarily booking them for attempting to impede the operation.

The case, 34/2021, has been registered under Sections 147 (punishment for rioting), 148b (rioting while armed with deadly weapon), 149 (members of an unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object) 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 353 (using assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of his duty), 324 (attempt to murder), 417 (punishment for cheating), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) of the Pakistan Penal Code. It has been registered on behalf of a contractor, Muhammad Ayub, who is a resident of Korangi.

In his statement to the police, Ayub maintained that an anti-encroachment department team, police, Sindh Building Control Authority teams and demolition equipment were attacked by Haleem and his armed supporters following the launch of an anti-encroachment drive on the order of the Malir deputy commissioner.

According to him, the attackers hurled stoned at police, beat them with sticks and rods and caused damage to the equipment.

He further claimed that the attackers tore policemen's uniforms and even attempt to hold labourers and anti-encroachment team members conducting the operation hostage at gunpoint.

The investigation police have been assigned the case's probe.

Read: ‘No political party being targeted in Malir operation’

Separately, another FIR against Haleem was registered at Gadap City police station for rioting and blocking the Super Highway during a protest.

According to Gadap City SHO Inayatullah Marwat, Haleem, along with 200 to 250 others, blocked the Super Highway during a protest on Saturday evening.

He was asked multiple times to end the protest and it was affecting the traffic flow, but he paid no heed, the SHO said.

Earlier, Haleem's coordinator, Javed Awan told The Express Tribune that a complaint against anti-encroachment cell director Tariq Dharejo, Malir DSP, Malir SSP, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, several officials of the Board of Revenue, Malir deputy commissioner, over 50 policemen and others had been lodged, also with the Memon Goth police, on behalf of the general manager of one of the razed farm houses, owned by Haleem's brother, Azeem Adil.

He said that as per the complaint, more than 150 men, including policemen in uniforms and plain clothes, led by Malir DSP Mumtaz Magsi, beat employees at the farmhouse.

The coordinator said the general manager told the police that when they enquired from the officials why they were beating them, they were threatened to with and instructed to remain quiet.

Citing the complaint, Awan further stated that DSP Magsi identified the farmhouse as the one belonging to Haleem's brother and issued directives to raze it, in line with the instructions of the Sindh CM.

It is written in the complaint that the stay order on the property's demolition issued by the court was shown to the DSP, but he tore it to pieces, said Awan, adding that the DSP then talked to someone on phone and directed the officials present at the spot to raze all structures owned by Haleem and his relatives, as had been instructed by the Sindh CM. He also directed the officials to "rob" goods from the properties, the coordinator said.

Javed said according to the complaint, DSP Magsi and other officials took away cash worth around Rs950,000- the collective salaries of the workers- four batteries of generator, electronic goods, three licenced weapons and other items.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, February 8^th, 2021.