KARACHI: Uzair Jan Baloch aka Sardar Uzair, the chief of the defunct Peoples Amn Committee (PAC) and shadowy figure in the bloody Lyari gang war, has been arrested in the emirate of Dubai, officials confirmed on Monday.
The main culprit involved in the brutal killing of notorious gangster, Arshad Pappu, had been at large since July 2013 before he was arrested by Interpol in Dubai.
Officials did not confirm when Uzair Baloch would be brought to Karachi but said that the Dubai authorities would hand him over to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) first and then he would be handed over to the Sindh police.
A top official informed The Express Tribune that the Sindh government shared details of the cases against Uzair Baloch with the interior ministry some five months ago as the arrest of the PAC leader could be carried out by the Interpol.
“Yes, Uzair Baloch has been arrested in Dubai,” confirmed Sindh Home Secretary Dr Niaz Ali Abbasi. He said that Uzair Baloch was wanted in a number of cases but didn’t say which was the major case against him.
One of the close friends of Uzair Baloch stated that he was involved in several cases, including the Shershah attack and Lyari operation.
Before the Sindh High Court (SHC) took sou motu notice on July 25, 2013 on the police failure to arrest him, it was believed that the law-enforcement agencies were not arresting him because of his political affiliation with the Pakistan Peoples Party.
Interestingly, the SHC took notice on newspaper clippings as Uzair Baloch arranged an Iftar party for nearly 500 journalists of the city while the Anti-Terrorism Court was informed that the law-enforcement agencies were unable to trace his hideouts.
Alleged Lyari gangster, Pappu, his brother Yasir Arafat and their aide Juma Sher were first abducted and then their mutilated and beheaded bodies were found in Lyari.
The officials have not disclosed how Uzair Baloch was detained from Dubai but rumours surfaced that he was crossing the border on a fake passport. A close associate informed The Express Tribune that Uzair Baloch was in Iran about two weeks ago.
His supporters in Lyari and other parts of Karachi didn’t react to the arrest. Fear prevailed in Lyari for a few hours after the news was aired on television channels but no supporter came out to halt the routine life.
Most of the notorious gangsters and leaders of the PAC, including Rehman Dakait, Arshad Pappu and Zaffar Baloch, have been killed. After Uzair Baloch’s arrest, only two main characters are left – Noor Mohammad aka Baba Ladla and Ghaffar Zikri – both have been on the run for the last few months.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 30th, 2014.
COMMENTS (8)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
I don't know how he will be treated by the courts of Pakistan. But I must say this man has crossed all the limits of humanity. They kill people who do not fulfill his demands, not only that but the way they treat there dead bodies is too much fearful. Dead bodies without heads, tortured dead bodies were recovered by Karachi police. But no one has courage to point him out due to the backing of several corrupt politicians. There is no home left in liyari whose family member was not targeted by him. Young boys under age of 18 are forced to do criminal activities and target killings. If someone refuses his orders then what he do with there family is quite scary to explain. He target everyone from little pan shop to construction giants for extortion money. Number of gangsters had rapidly increased inspired by Indian movies which shows that gangsters are brave and fearless also showing them as hero. I don't think that Pakistan law and government will do justice with him. Hope Allah give courage to our judges so that they do justice with his deeds
Dr. Zulfikar Mirze should also be arrested for his publicly professed role of playing godfather of this criminal and his gang
Uzair Baloch and other gang members are given strength and arms by PPP. Its PPP which has caused Karachi to plunge into depression and anarchy.
He should be tortured and then beheaded like he and his friends did to hundreds to Karachiites. May Allah's curse be on him and hereafter!
I wonder what happens when he is sent to Pakistan... get him out on a bail. I can not expect much from his arrest/transfer to Pakistan by way of criminal justice system here.
Pakistan is such a politically weak nation that years have passed and their leaders have been unable to bring $700m outstanding amount from Abu Dhabi ref: sale of PTCL. Talk about bringing back criminals - Dubai has become a safe heaven for political plunderers, looters and criminals - anybody with money is welcome in Dubai.
If he is handed over to the Sindh Police after interrogation from FIA, then disappointingly, one can anticipate the outcome. Maybe, he will make good his escape. Whenever, the PPP is in the driving seat of the government, the city is covered and rattled with violence. Salams
All these miscreants, ruin Pakistan for everyone then run off to other countries like if its all a joke. I hope he is treated no less than a terrorist in punishment.