Defence winding up arguments in Naqueebullah case

Insists prosecution failed to produce eyewitness against main suspect Rao Anwar

KARACHI:

The proceedings of Naqeebullah murder case have entered final stages in Special Terrorism Court.

The case has entered the final stages, defense lawyers are giving final arguments and the arguments will continue in the next hearing as well. Naseemullah Mehsud, popularly known as Naqeebullah Mehsud, was killed on January 13, 2018 in Malir in a fake encounter allegedly staged by the then Malir district SSP Rao Anwar.

Alongside Naqeebullah, three other men namely Muhammad Sabir and Muhammad Ishaq from Bahawalpur and Nazar Jan Mahsud from South Waziristan were also killed by the police in the staged encounter.

On Tuesday, defence counsel Amir Mansoob Advocate argued that the case was registered against Rao Anwar on January 23, however, the prosecution claims that the case was registered according to findings a report ordered by the then IG Sindh.

Mansoob Advocate argued that the findings of the report came on January 25.

Defence lawyer said that it is clear from the evidence presented and statements given by witnesses that Rao Anwar's name was included in the case to damage his reputation as part of a well-thought-out conspiracy.

Special Court No16 heard Naqeebullah murder case in Anti-Terrorism Complex in Karachi Central Jail. Former SSP Malir Rao Anwar, former DSP Qamar and others appeared in court along with their lawyers. Rao Anwar's lawyer, Amir Mansoob Advocate, while giving final arguments, said that prosecution could not present a single witness or concrete evidence against his client. The police encounter case registered by then SHO Amanullah Marwat was calcified as B class.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 11^th, 2023.