Impression about protection extended to Rao Anwar must be dispelled

KARACHI: Impression being created about involvement of influential figures in the disappearance of SSP Rao Anwar leading to unwarranted delay in his arrest must be dispelled, said Senator Nasreen Jalil, Chairperson, Senate's Standing Committee on Human Rights.

Talking to media persons following the committee's meeting held Wednesday at the office of Sindh Chief Secretary, she said Naqibullah Mehsud was part of the entire Pakistani nation and his killing was a cause of grief for all sections without any distinction.

In reply to a question, she said that the Senate Committee on Human Rights has sought urgent arrest of Rao Anwar and immediate release of innocent people imprisoned without any proof of the crime allegedly committed by them.

Senator Nasreen Jalil said the standing committee members have unanimously recommended that culprit police officer, notorious for his illegal activities be apprehended without any delay and be taken to task in accordance to the law.

It has also been demanded that all fake encounters established to have been staged by criminal-minded cops must be duly investigated and culprits be immediately suspended from service.

"The committee has suggested to the Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah and Home Minister, Sohail Anwar Sial to ensure a transparent and urgent enquiry into the Naqibullah Mehsud incident," she said.

Meanwhile, members of the Senate's Standing Committee taking exception to the absence of Sindh Chief Secretary and Inspector General of Police asked their immediate presence before the committee.

This was then complied with by the two senior officials who not only briefed the committee but also responded to series of queries raised by the senators.

Senator Nasreen Jalil on behalf of her colleagues thanked the Sindh Chief Minister for specially attending the meeting and assuring that absconding cop would be apprehended as early as possible.

The Senators who attended the meeting included Farhatullah Babar, Sitara Imtiaz, Mir Kabir Mohammad Shahi, Samia Saeed, Mohammad Swaleh Shah, Shahi Syed and Nehal Hashmi.