Daily Times

KARACHI: Korangi police on Tuesday claimed to have taken custody of former Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) sector in-charge Raees Mama.

He had been arrested by the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) from Malaysia in December last year and was handed over to Karachi police on March 26.

Korangi Investigation SSP Zulfiqar Mehr told the media that Mama was working under the directives of Hammad Siddiqui – former front man of the MQM-London (MQM-L). He said a police vehicle had been attacked on Mama’s orders.

Mama is also wanted for his alleged involvement in the killing of MQM-Haqiqi (MQM-H) workers and Lyari gang war members and land grabbing. “Further investigations are under way,” the SSP said.

Mehr said investigation was underway and Mama was being interrogated for all charges against him. He said the accused was wanted in scores of heinous crimes including terrorism and target killings.

Earlier in October 2015, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) had issued non-bailable arrest warrants against Mama and other absconders.

The former MQM Korangi sector-incharge was declared proclaimed offender for providing shelter to terrorism suspects.

Mama is also a prime suspect in May 12 incident in which 40 people were killed in Karachi. The suspect is facing over 50 criminal cases. He fled the country after Rangers launched ‘Karachi Operation’ in 2013.

Mama is also said to be a close aide of Hammad Siddiqui, an accused in the 2012 Baldia Town factory fire. He was involved in land grabbing in the metropolis.

Last month, Sindh Rangers had claimed to have arrested a suspect allegedly belonging to a political party. The accused, identified as Umair alias Soni, was arrested during a raid conducted on a tip-off in Federal B Industrial Area. According to a Pakistan Rangers spokesperson, the suspect, an MQM-L worker, was involved in various cases of crime, including drug peddling. The accused was later handed over to police.

Published in Daily Times, March 28^th 2018.