ISLAMABAD - The fugitive former Malir SSP Rao Anwar has written a new letter to Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Saqib Nisar, requesting him to restore his bank accounts.
A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar heard the suo motu case over Naqeebullah Mehsud’s murder.
During the hearing, the chief justice said a letter was received from Rao Anwar, asking for restoring his bank accounts, but it has yet to be ascertained whether the letter is original or not. He added the letter has been placed in the case file.
The apex court, in its last hearing, directed the State Bank of Pakistan to freeze all bank accounts of the fugitive Malir SSP Rao Anwar. The CJP said the court is receiving police reports, but there is no progress in the case.
The counsel assisting the court in the case affirmed only 10 out of 24 accused have been arrested and non-arrest of the remaining accused is raising serious questions over the authority of the state.
The deputy attorney general stated that as per the security authorities all the suspects in the case have switched off their mobile phones. On a query from the court regarding cooperation from ISI and MI, the Sindh IGP disclosed that 12 of them were arrested with the assistance of security authorities and efforts were underway to nab others. “We have also submitted a challan in the case,” he said. The Sindh IGP avowed he could not say that Rao Anwar was in a political safe haven, but could confirm that he is not in their province.
The chief justice also asked the IGP to give him an in-camera briefing over the CCTV footage of Rao Anwar’s presence in Islamabad and Karachi. He also summoned the airports security DG on the next hearing scheduled for March 16.
On the court’s inquiry, the Sindh IGP confirmed ISI and MI are working closely with the police.
Justice Umer Ata Bandial remarked it is obvious that someone is providing shelter to the accused. “Are the militants giving the suspects a safe haven?” he asked. “It is a significant matter that questions are raised over the state authority. Is Rao Anwar not in political asylum?” inquired the CJP.
“Rao Anwar is not in Sindh. His last location was Bhera. As a responsible officer, I cannot say that he is under political protection,” replied the Sindh IGP.
