A controversial Pakistani police officer allegedly involved in several extra-judicial killings was sent on a 30-day physical remand by an anti-terrorism court here today, a day after the fugitive cop surrendered before the Supreme Court.
Former Senior Superintendent of Police Malir in Karachi Rao Anwar was produced in an anti-terrorism court in a case related to the extra-judicial killing of Naqeebullah Mehsud.
Anwar, who is known for his close contacts with politicians and former President Asif Zardari, is accused of staging the extra-judicial killing of four persons including Mehsud on the outskirts of Karachi on January 13 this year.
Anwar claimed Mehsud was a member of the Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) hailing from South Waziristan, but a later statement reportedly issued by a spokesperson for TTP's South Waziristan had termed the claim "baseless", clarifying that the deceased had no links with the banned militant outfit.
Mehsud's family had also disputed Anwar's claim, saying that the 27-year-old had no links with any militant organisation and was a shop owner fond of modeling.
The Sindh police formed a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) which charged 25 police officers including Anwar of staging the extra-judicial killings, but the former top cop first attempted to flee the country from Islamabad airport and then went into hiding for over a month.
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Anwar finally turned up at the Supreme Court yesterday where the bench ordered his arrest and rejected his plea for a bail.
The apex court also formed a new JIT to probe the extra-judicial killings. It has also placed Anwar's name on the Exit Control List.
"Everyone in Sindh police was aware of what Anwar was doing but every time any senior official tried to act against him he was pushed back by the corridor of power, a senior police official said.
Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar had earlier issued repeated orders to the Sindh police chief for the fugitive officer's arrest in a case pertaining to the killing of Mehsud but he had eluded them.