Daily Times

KARACHI: The Sindh Home Department on Monday formally constituted a Joint Interrogation Team (JIT) after month-long pending investigation into the murder case of a 19-year-old Malaysia-returned student, Intezar Ahmed, in Karachi’s posh locality by the personnel of the Anti-Car Lifting Cell (ACLC).

A JIT was formed following an order issued by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah to probe into the murder case. This was decided following Intizar’s father Ishtiaq Ahmed meeting with the chief minister, who called on the CM and expressed serious reservations over the investigation.

According to notification, Counter Terrorism Department Additional IG Sanaullah Abbasi will be head of JIT, while Zone South police chief DIG Azad Khan and a representative each from the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Intelligence Bureau (IB), Pakistan Rangers, Special Branch of Sindh Police will be members of the team. “The JIT shall investigate the matter within 15 days and submit its report to home department,” the notification said.

“On the recommendation of Sindh IG and with the approval of Sindh chief minister, a JIT is hereby constituted under FIR No. 16/18 under Section 302/34 registered with Darakshan Police Station regarding the killing of Intizar Ahmed,” reads a notification issued by home secretary. “Focus, aspects and framework notified under the Home Department’s order shall strictly be adhered to.”

Intezar was shot dead in DHA on January 13 by officials and personnel of a Specialised Unit of Sindh Police – the Anti Car Lifting Cell. Initially, police had termed the incident an act of target killing, while later it was discovered that Intezar was shot dead by a team of ACLC, comprising at least nine members, including two inspector-ranked officers and two personal security guards of former ACLC chief SSP Muquddus Haider. All the nine cops were later arrested after they were booked in the murder case of Intezar Ahmed. Later, the Sindh Police IG suspended the then ACLC chief SSP Muquddus Haider.

SSP Haider was also included in the investigation over his alleged involvement in the murder case pointed by the victim’s father.

Initially, District South SP (Investigations) Farooq Awan was appointed the investigation officer, however, the IG appointed CTD DIG Amir Farooqui the investigation officer of the case, who in his initial investigations had found the ACLC personnel guilty and formed a JIT headed by CTD SSP Pervez Chandio.

This was the second JIT formed by Counter Terrorism Department of the Sindh Police regarding the murder case of Intezar Ahmed, as earlier JIT formed to probe the murder case had ceased working following a controversy about the authenticity of the Joint Interrogation Team (JIT). The JIT headed by CTD SSP had also recorded the statements of all the people related to the case, including victim’s father, SSP Muquddus Haider as well as Intezar’s friend Madiha Kayani, who is a key witness in the case. The JIT had also visited the crime scene, however, before its third session, the JIT ceased working, as representatives of different law enforcement and intelligence agencies refused to work, saying that they could not continue until the JIT was not notified by the Home Department.

Published in Daily Times, February  13^th 2018.