Investigating claims: JIT notified to probe Saulat Mirza allegations

KARACHI:

A joint investigation team (JIT) has been notified to investigate the allegations made by death row prisoner Saulat Ali Khan, also known as Saulat Mirza.

According to a notification issued by the Sindh home department on Monday, Traffic DIG Dr Ameer Ali Shaikh will head the JIT, which also includes Special Branch security SSP Muneer Ahmed Shaikh, Counter-Terrorism Department operations SSP Usman Ijaz Bajwa, South Zone investigation SSP Faizullah Korejo and Jamshed division SP Akhtar Farooq as its members.

Talking to The Express Tribune, a senior police official confirmed the issuance of the notification and said that the JIT had been formed by the provincial home department.

“The other law enforcement and intelligence agencies, including the Federal Investigation Agency, Rangers, Inter-Services Intelligence, Military Intelligence and Intelligence Bureau, have been asked to nominate their representatives,” he explained. “The JIT will start its investigations after the other agencies nominate their representatives.” A deadline has yet to be decided for the JIT’s investigations.

Mirza was awarded the death sentence for murdering Shahid Hamid, the managing director of the Karachi Electric Supply Company, along with his driver and guard on July 5, 1997. A video statement by him was aired on news channels on March 19, hours before his execution, which was subsequently stayed. In this statement, Mirza blamed Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan and other party leaders for using him in criminal activities, including the targeted killing of Hamid.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 7^th, 2015.