Daily Times

KARACHI: Former Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rao Anwar on Tuesday reportedly was offered a deal in Naqibullah Mehsud’s murder case if he agrees to become the prosecution witness.

As per sources, the investigation team maintains a stance that lenient behavior with SSP Anwar could hasten the investigation and assist in the arrest of the fugitive suspects of the case.

A member of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) probing Naqibullah’s murder case in a conversation with a local news channel, on the condition of keeping his identity confidential, said that the investigation was about to reach its conclusion.

The JIT source added that as soon as the aides of Anwar were arrested, their statements would be recorded. He further said that the JIT had promised Anwar lenient treatment if he facilitated the police in arresting the absconders including former Shah Latif Station House Officer (SHO) Amanullah Marwat, former Sohrab Goth SHO Shoaib Shooter, Abbas Town police post in-charge Akbar Mallah and former Head Constable (HC) Faisal Mehmood.

Former SSP Malir Rao Anwar is alleged in the encounter killing of 27-year-old Naqibullah Mehsud on January 13 in the suburbs of Karachi. Naqibullah was killed on allegations of being affiliated with a terrorist organization and accused of being involved in several murders.

First Investigation Report (FIR) was registered against Anwar and his encounter team at the Sacchal police station after a three-member inquiry committee headed by Counter-Terrorism Department’s AIG established their involvement.

A five-member JIT headed by Sindh Additional Inspector General (AIG) Aftab Pathan has been investigating the extrajudicial killing of Naqibullah. Anwar had surrendered to Supreme Court and has been in custody of Malir Police for inquiry.

Previously, Anwar had informed the JIT that he was not party to Naqibullah’s murder and he had not ordered the police of any encounters.