Despite being granted protective bail by the Supreme Court (SC), the former Malir Senior Superintendent Police (SSP) Rao Anwar failed to appear before the court on Friday.

According to local media reports, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar inquired about Anwar and when he was informed by Inspector General of Sindh Police AD Khawaja that the former SSP has not showed up, the CJP said, ''Anwar has lost a big opportunity by deciding not to appear in court today.''

The IG told the bench that Anwar had informed him on WhatsApp that he would appear in court. The SC then issued a contempt of court notice to Anwar and also ordered the relevant authorities to seize his bank accounts and assets.The court also observed that all assistance would be given to arrest Anwar. The hearing has been adjourned for 15 days.

SC orders not to arrest Rao Anwar, grants him protective bail

On February 13, the SC issued orders not to arrest the former SSP, form a joint investigation team and granted him protective bail, while directing him to appear before the court on Friday (today). The SC took the decision after Anwar wrote a letter to the CJP, pleading his innocence.

The former SSP is in hiding ever since he tried to flee the country last month. He is wanted in the ‘extra judicial murder’ of 27-year-old Naqeebullah, a native of Waziristan. He was killed, along with three other suspected terrorists, on January 13 in an alleged encounter with a police team headed by Anwar. However, Naqeebullah’s family has claimed that the deceased was innocent and was killed in a ‘fake’ encounter.