IG Sindh suspends SSP Malir Rao Anwar after controversial press briefing
IG Sindh orders SSP Rao to report to the Central Police Office. SSP East given additional charge of District Malir
PHOTO: EXPRESS/MUNAWAR A KHAN
SSP Malir Rao Anwar was suspended on Thursday, hours after he had alleged in a press briefing that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) maintains connections with India's spy agency RAW.
Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah took notice of this unusual press conference and abuse of authority, following which IG Sindh suspended SSP Rao late on Thursday night and ordered him to report to the Central Police Office.
Meanwhile, SSP East Peer Muhammad Shah has been given additional charge of District Malir.
Earlier in the day, SSP Rao had presented two alleged terrorists who he claimed belonged to the MQM. The official further claimed that the MQM was actively working against Pakistan.
“Key MQM leaders have connections with RAW,” he said, adding that the arrested MQM workers had received training from India’s spy agency RAW.
The SSP said he had evidence to support his claims, including their passports and their statements.
"MQM workers from every sector go to India for training via Bangkok," he said.
“They confessed and said they were ashamed for betraying their country," he said.
The SSP recommended the MQM be banned in Pakistan.
“They are not a political party but a terrorist party,” said Rao. He went on to add that he knew he was on MQM's hit-list but wasn't afraid of speaking to the media about his findings.
Talking to the media with a cloth placed over his head, one of the suspects confessed that he fled to Bangkok after the 1992 operation against the party.
“From Bangkok we were asked to fly to India where we received weapons training and then through Azad Kashmir we came to Lahore,” the suspect said, adding that he belonged to the MQM's Lyari sector.
Responding to SSP Malir's allegations, MQM leader Wasay Jalil tweeted this is a media trial against the party.
Further, Syed Raza Ali Abidi claimed this will give more resolve to the people of Karachi.
MQM has announced they will hold a press conference at 7pm to address the allegations.
Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah took notice of this unusual press conference and abuse of authority, following which IG Sindh suspended SSP Rao late on Thursday night and ordered him to report to the Central Police Office.
Meanwhile, SSP East Peer Muhammad Shah has been given additional charge of District Malir.
Earlier in the day, SSP Rao had presented two alleged terrorists who he claimed belonged to the MQM. The official further claimed that the MQM was actively working against Pakistan.
“Key MQM leaders have connections with RAW,” he said, adding that the arrested MQM workers had received training from India’s spy agency RAW.
The SSP said he had evidence to support his claims, including their passports and their statements.
"MQM workers from every sector go to India for training via Bangkok," he said.
“They confessed and said they were ashamed for betraying their country," he said.
The SSP recommended the MQM be banned in Pakistan.
“They are not a political party but a terrorist party,” said Rao. He went on to add that he knew he was on MQM's hit-list but wasn't afraid of speaking to the media about his findings.
Talking to the media with a cloth placed over his head, one of the suspects confessed that he fled to Bangkok after the 1992 operation against the party.
“From Bangkok we were asked to fly to India where we received weapons training and then through Azad Kashmir we came to Lahore,” the suspect said, adding that he belonged to the MQM's Lyari sector.
Responding to SSP Malir's allegations, MQM leader Wasay Jalil tweeted this is a media trial against the party.
Further, Syed Raza Ali Abidi claimed this will give more resolve to the people of Karachi.
MQM has announced they will hold a press conference at 7pm to address the allegations.