ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar ordered the Federal Investigation Agency, Inter Services Intelligence and Military Intelligence agencies to submit a report on the hunt for absconding police officer Rao Anwar.
Resuming the suo motu hearing of the Naqeebullah Mehsud killing case, the chief justice gave the orders after the three agencies failed to submit a report on efforts to trace Anwar, the primary accused.
During the hearing, the Intelligence Bureau presented a report in court, whereas State Bank of Pakistan official informed the court that all bank accounts of Anwar have been frozen.
Mehsud, a 27-year-old native of Waziristan, was among three others who were accused of being terrorists and killed by the then-Malir SSP in Karachi on January 13 in what was later determined to be a fake encounter. Anwar and most members of his encounter team have since gone into hiding.
At the last hearing of the case on Feb 16, the Supreme Court had issued a contempt of court notice to Anwar over his failure to show up despite a ‘chance’ by the apex court.
After issuing a contempt notice to Anwar, the court revoked his protective bail and ordered the ISI, MI and IB to assist in nabbing Anwar and submit a report in this regard in 15 days.
The court also directed the IGs of all provinces to provide protection to the witnesses in the case after Sindh IGP AD Khawaja informed the bench of threats to witnesses.
Following claims of innocence from Naqeebullah’s family, an inquiry committee was formed which cleared the deceased of any wrongdoing.
An FIR was registered against Anwar and others in his raiding party. Since then, Anwar has been in hiding and the Sindh Police, despite the Supreme Court-directed assistance of intelligence agencies, has been unable to trace the police officer.
