Naqeebullah murder case witness retracts statement against Rao Anwar

A witness retracted on Monday his statement in the Naqeebullah Mehsud murder case, saying he was threatened by the police.

According to local media reports, Shehzada Jahangi changed his statement during today's hearing at an anti-terrorism court (ATC) and said that he was not present at the site of the encounter that had killed Mehsud. In his earlier testimony, Jahangir had stated that Rao Anwar, the key suspect, was present at the encounter site.

During the court proceedings on Monday, the witness said that he made the statement as he was threatened by the police and he no information regarding Mehsud's murder. "I got a call from the SP Office on February 17. When I went there on February 18, I was arrested." He added that he wanted protection as his life was in danger, local media reported.

Rao Anwar files petition against JIT in Naqeebullah case

The former Senior Superintendent of Police Anwar also appeared before the court today. Anwar's counsel requested the ATC to move Anwar from C-class jail to B-class jail in Karachi’s Central Jail.

The request was challenged by Mehsud's family. The ATC then adjourned the hearing until May 19, where both the sides will present their arguments. The court will also hear Anwar's plea for bail.