Legal complications restrict transfer of Karachi knife attacks suspect from Punjab

KARACHI: The mystery of Karachi knife attacks remains unresolved with legal complications restricting the transfer of the suspect to the metropolis from Gujranwala, who is believed to be involved in a series of incidents that sparked fear in Karachi.

At least 15 women were injured in attacks by a knife-wielding man in Karachi between September 25 to October 5. Later, there had been no clue as to where did the suspect go.

With seven different cases registered, police in Karachi began connecting the dots, leading to a suspect, Wasim, involved in similar incidents in Sahiwal, Punjab, who got out on bail a month and a half ago.

However, it has become difficult for the Karachi police to bring the suspect, arrested from Gujranwala, to Karachi for not following the protocols.

Sources said the Karachi Police managed to get the suspect nabbed by CIA Punjab, without bringing the matter to the notice of Punjab Home Department.

The Karachi Police is unable to bring the suspect to the megapolis for they have not yet submitted a formal request to the Punjab Home Department seeking his transit remand.

Moving the suspect from Punjab to Karachi remains out of question without a transit remand.

On the other hand, Wasim denies involvement in Karachi knife attacks and claims that he has never been to the megapolis in his life.

The attacker, who has succeeded in evading arrest so far, has posed a challenge to the authorities and caused a scare among the public after repeated attacks by a sharp object.

'Suspect a thin man, aged 20-29'

Karachi police released pictures — screengrabs from the CCTV footage — of the suspect earlier this month wherein the assailant can be seen riding a motorcycle moments before attacking one of the victims.

"The suspect appears to be a thin man, aged 20-29," DIG East Sultan Khawaja said, adding that "he appears to be 5 feet, 7-9 inches tall" and usually rides a red motorcycle.