SC issues contempt notice to Rao Anwar after his failure to appear

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court Friday issued a contempt of court notice to former Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Malir Rao Anwar for defying its orders to appear before it.

A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar while hearing the case regarding the killing of Naqeebullah Mehsud in an extra-judicial encounter, also ordered freezing of all bank accounts of Rao Anwar.

The court also cancelled its earlier order of granting protective bail to Rao Anwar and directed all the agencies to cooperate with the Sindh Police in tracing him.

During the course of proceedings, the chief justice expressed annoyance over former SSP Rao Anwar’s failure to appear before the court.

The CJP He observed that the top court had given him a chance to appear, but he had failed to appear despite the apex court’s assurance of legal help. The court had also ensured protection for the former SSP, he added.

Advocate Faisal Siddiqui, counsel for the family of Naqeebullah, told the court that at least 15 other officials suspected to be involved in the fake encounter were also missing.

Inspector-General of Police Sindh Allah Dino Khawaja informed the apex court that nine out of the 21 accused had been arrested by the police.

A D Khawaja also told the court that Anwar had called him on WhatsApp on Wednesday and said that he would appear in the court. "I gave him all kinds of assurances," he added.

Later, the court adjourned the case till March 3.