Rao Anwar files petition against JIT in Naqeebullah case

Rao Anwar, the key suspect in Naqeebullah Mehsud case, filed a review petition on Thursday against the Supreme Court's (SC) order on the formation of the joint investigation team (JIT).

In his petition, moved by Advocate Shamim-ur-Rehman Malik on behalf of the former Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Anwar, sought the removal of  Sindh Additional Inspector General (AIG) Aftab Pathan, who is heading the JIT. Anwar stated that the AIG had already accused him and it was beyond comprehension that he would differ from his earlier opinion, local media reported.

The petition also expressed distrust in the JIT and pointed out that under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) 1997, the JIT should consist of officers from police, intelligence agencies, armed forces and civil armed forces. But the JIT, formed on the order by the SC on March 21, consisted only of officers from the Sindh police department.

ATC sends Rao Anwar to 30-day physical remand

On March 21, Anwar had appeared before the top court after nearly two months of absconding the court proceedings. The SC had ordered the formation of a JIT, which was headed by AIG Pathan and included AIG Waliullah Dal, DIG of Karachi South Azad Ahmed Khan, DIG of Karachi East Zulfikar Larik, and SSP Dr Rizwan.

The top court had also ordered the immediate arrest of Anwar, who was then sent on a 30 days remand by an  anti-terrorism court which will end on April 21.