Police officials barred from disclosing political affiliations of suspects during press briefing

Order comes days after SSP Malir Rao Anwar's controversial press conference

KARACHI: Days after spectacular claims were made during a press briefing by former Malir SSP Rao Anwar where a suspect allegedly affiliated with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) claimed to have been trained by India’s spy agency, authorities have barred police officials in the city from disclosing alleged political affiliations of suspects during press briefings, The Express Tribune has learnt.

A senior police official told The Express Tribune that a decision in this regards was taken by the Sindh government following Anwar's controversial press briefing last month.

The official added that officers who held a rank of SP to SHO will not be allowed to hold press briefing, with this privilege now reserved for SSPs, zonal DIGs, city police chief and the IG.

Read: IG Sindh suspends SSP Malir Rao Anwar after controversial press briefing

While SSPs can hold press briefings, they would need to seek permission from the concerned DIGs concerned before doing so.

Since the Karachi operation started, police officials in their press briefings have often disclosed political affiliations of suspects apprehended during raids.

The trend began when former Karachi police chief Shahid Hayat disclosed that a suspect allegedly belonged to the MQM during a briefing. The suspect was arrested for his alleged involvement in killing of senior lawyer Naimat Ali Randhawa in Nazimabad area of Karachi in September 2013.

Read: Baseless: MQM rejects allegations made by SSP Rao Anwar

Although the Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah had restricted police officials from disclosing alleged political associations of suspects, the practice continued.