The government of Pakistan on Wednesday asked the Saudi government to take up the matter of detainees, accused of heroin smuggling, on the humanitarian ground and ensure justice. Following Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis request, Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Ali Awadh Asseri has called the family members of detained persons for a meeting on Thursday (today).
The government has also assured the families of the detained persons of access to counsellor services. The Foreign Office has directed the Pakistan embassy in Jeddah to contact the arrested family and take their account, an official source at Sindh Home Department told Business Recorder.
However, intelligence agencies including Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) have refused to consider the case. "After departure from the country, it is not the responsibility of FIA to investigate matters of foreign trips," said an FIA official. However, the agency can act in case the federal government asks it to do so, the official said.
The police have arrested the son of Sarwat Hussain, the mastermind and started investigation, said Inspector Azam Baloch, Station House Officer (SHO) Awami police station, adding that police have registered a case No, 232/09 against Sarwat Hussain and his wife Shafia Khan under section 420, 34 of Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). The police raided Sarwat's house and arrested his son Sarfraz, said Senior Investigation Officer (SIO) Muhammad Hanif.
The police also questioned the neighbours but failed to find any clue, the SIO said. Hanif said the arrested person would be released today from the police custody, as the police could not gather any evidence against him, which could prove him guilty.