Police bust extortion network run from jail

KARACHI:

Police investigating a major extortion network in the metropolis have revealed that the operation was reportedly being coordinated from inside jail, officials said on Tuesday. The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) has completed its probe into the organised network, which was allegedly run by arrested criminals Jawad, alias Waja, Shahzaib, and Rehan.

According to the investigation, the extortion network became active in 2022. Jawad reportedly told police that he had met Samad Kathiawari while in jail and continued meetings with network operatives after his release the same year. He also admitted to prior involvement in mobile phone trading.

Arrested Shahzaib disclosed that he had previously worked at car showrooms and had advised the network on collecting extortion from such businesses. Under Jawad's instructions, Rehan supplied boys and SIM cards, who were reportedly used to intimidate victims and carry out firing incidents.