Rao Anwar backed by political elements: Imran Khan

KARACHI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said on Sunday that former SSP Rao Anwar is backed by political elements, who aid him in his activities.

The PTI leader was addressing media after meeting slain Naqeebullah's family and Mehsud tribe's leaders at Karachi's Super Highway area.

Naqeebullah, a 27-year-old native of Waziristan, was among four suspected terrorists killed in an ‘exchange of fire’ with a police team led by Malir SSP Rao Anwar on January 13 in Shah Latif Town, Karachi.

“An innocent youth was gunned down in Karachi,” Imran said, while standing next to slain Naqeebullah’s father.

Rao Anwar is a killer in police’s uniform, said the PTI chief, adding that the party’s war is against such a system.

“I have been informed before that police is tormenting Pakhtuns in the area,” said Imran.

Naqeebullah faced grave injustice, said the PTI chief.

Intezar's killing a cold-blooded murder: Imran

Earlier, Imran claimed  that the killing of 19-year-old Intezar Ahmed by police firing was a cold-blooded murder. 

On January 13, Intezar Ahmed was killed under mysterious circumstances when Anti Car Lifting Cell (ACLC) officials opened fire on his car on Khayaban-e-Ittehad in the Defence locality of Karachi. The suspects, all police officials, were taken into custody later. 

Addressing the media after calling on the victim's family at their house today, the PTI chief said the CCTV footage shows that it was a premeditated killing.

"Intezar's parents should get justice," said Imran.

The PTI chief stated that police of other provinces should also be a-political as the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police. 

The deceased's father, Ishtiaq Ahmed, also addressed the media and expressed reservations on the joint investigation team (JIT) probing the incident.

Ahmed demanded that the trial take place in an anti-terrorism court. 

He recalled Supreme Court Justice Gulzar Ahmed's remarks on Saturday when he said that the eight police officials could have arrested Intezar instead of shooting him dead.  

He vowed to take the matter to the Supreme Court to seek justice. 

Mohammad Asif, the family’s counsel, told the media that the JIT did not contact them when they visited the site of the incident, adding that the JIT was given 'selected' evidence.  

Moreover, on Sunday, a short clip of the CCTV footage from the night of the incident was obtained by Geo News. 

On Friday, Intezar’s father, suspended ACLC SSP Muqaddas Haider, and witness Madiha Kiyani appeared before the JIT, headed by SSP CTD Intelligence Pervaiz Chandio, to record their statements.

The JIT comprises representatives from the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Military Intelligence (MI), Intelligence Bureau (IB), Pakistan Rangers, Special Branch and Karachi Police.

JIT formed to probe incident 

Earlier, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) of police recommended the formation of JIT to probe the killing.

According to CTD DIG Aamir Farooqi, the JIT would determine the reason behind the presence of the police at the crime scene, adding that the way Intezar’s car was stopped creates suspicions. 

The JIT is also expected to evaluate the role of suspended ACLC SSP Muqaddas Haider.

“It seems this was an attempt to kidnap Intezar,” Farooqi said, adding that private vehicles were used by officials involved.

The DIG stressed that the entire action was conducted quickly and unprofessionally. “Not a single police official was in uniform.”

CTD officials have identified the suspected shooters as Bilal and Daniyal – the former was the principal staff officer of suspended ACLC SSP Muqaddas Haider while the latter was his gunman.

Officials said the presence of both officials, in civvies, at the time of the shooting is suspicious.

The CTD, which has recorded the statement of Madiha Kiyani, the girl who accompanied Intezar on the night of the incident, has yet to determine the purpose of the killing.