After the murder of Naqeebullah Mehsud was picked up by the mainstream media, it ignited anger and rage across the country.
Extrajudicial killings had become a norm in Karachi where countless police encounters have come under the shadow of doubt.
Naqeeb was assassinated along with two others for being allegedly affiliated with LeJ and ISIL by former SSP Malir Rao Anwar. He was killed on 13th January, 2017. Rao Anwar disappeared after public outcry increased the possibilities of his arrest. Subsequently, an investigation team under CTD AIG Dr Sanaullah Abbasi was formed. It revealed that Naqeeb was innocent and had no affiliation with the militias. It further revealed that police personnel abducted deceased and killed him after 10 days in a fake encounter.
In Karachi, extra judicial killing is not a new phenomenon. It began in 1992 during an operation against MQM, and continued till Naqeeb’s notorious encounter.
According to media reports, he is ostensibly involved in 444 killing in 192 encounters. One can only wonder that, were these people innocent or not. And even if they were criminals, there is a law on this land which must take its course.
For a very long period, Rao Anwar’s reign of terror continued and state institutions remained silent
The matter of the fact is, for decades Karachi remained under the state policy of extra judicial killing. It ultimately formed police officers like Rao Anwar. In this trail, Afzal Shigri was the only IGP Sindh refused to continue this policy and fate turn out in his posting.
In addition, Rao Anwar is amongst the powerful police officers who have backing of influential figure. Perhaps, Anwar is not even answerable to his master (IG Sindh Police). Infact, he is answerable to the same ‘facilitators’ who kept him hidden for long. This is the reason; he remained masked despite IG Sindh and SC decree to appear. However, the debate is resonating around the question; how can a SSP rank officer remain hidden? Who was the facilitator protecting him? Is Anwar above the law? The answer is however to be taken by the courts from the ‘facilitators’ and Rao Anwar.
The state machinery remained paralyzed on Naqeeb’s murder until CJP took suo motto. When Supreme Court ordered Rao Anwar to appear, he either attempted to flee Dubai or sent letters to unfreeze his bank accounts as his family is facing financial problems. Instead of appearing before the JIT, former SSP attempted to flee Dubai via Islamabad airport on 24th January. The attempt was foiled and FIA nabbed him.
Just a week before Anwar surrender, CJP Saqib Nisar angrily stated that Rao Anwar facilitators will bear the consequences on his disappearance.
Anwar finally surrender before the SC. It was SC bold step against the notorious former SSP to bring him under the fold of law. And without CJP personal oversight Anwar would’ve escaped abroad. It’s obnoxious that without the intervention of the apex court, the matter remains unresolved on this land of pure. It is also believed that Rao Anwar is given safety assurances before his appearance to the court. Perhaps, his financial details will not be the subject under the investigation.
During the time of his disappearance, it was also revealed in media that SSP owns a residency in Dubai and travel frequently to Dubai. Moreover, family is also resided there. The matter of the reality is, how can a SSP officer own a flat in Dubai? It clearly reflects that Anwar is darling to some powerful quarter that provides him with financial assistance plus the safe heaven to escape the law.
The reason for his hide is clear that his facilitators want to keep his ventures concealed. In case Anwar reveals it, the burden will split onto many other powerful homo sapiens which may create unrest in the public.
It is still a mystery that why officers like Rao Anwar not dealt strictly for abusing the power. Such rogue elements become a regretful and downhearted for the entire institute because of the discriminatory law assertion. If the officers like Rao Anwar will get perks, privileges and promotions in the state enterprises then omit the institutions building. We have seen how political and apolitical people have made darlings in the state institutes to extract any kind of work; extra judicial killing is one of its kinds. Therefore, this is why many senior officers in Sindh police are now working under such darlings.
For a very long period of time, the reign of his terror continued and state institutions remained hushed. The circumstances are not suitable for the Karachites as they fear after knowing that the goons infiltrated in the uniform that are primarily responsible for protection of the citizens and not the liquidation. But it looks as though law will kneel down against Rao Anwar and Naqeeb case will remain unresolved.
The writer is an academic. He tweets @muhd_hani
Published in Daily Times, March 31st2018.