ISLAMABAD - The Supreme Court on Friday issued a contempt notice to former Malir SSP Rao Anwar after he failed to show up despite court orders, and in breach of his ‘commitment’.

The apex court directed all intelligence agencies to cooperate with the Sindh police in tracing out the absconding police officer.

Anwar is the main accused in Naqeebullah murder case, who was gunned down in a fake encounter in Karachi. Mehsud, who had been living in Karachi since 2008, was allegedly picked up by the Karachi police in on January 2 and was later murdered on January 17.

A two-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar and Justice Ijazul Ahsan heard the suo motu case of Mehsud murder. The Supreme Court directed the Military Intelligence, the Inter-Services Intelligence, the Intelligence Bureau, the Federal Intelligence Agency and the Frontier Constabulary to provide specific information about the accused, who has not been arrested yet and submit separate reports.

The bench also issued a show-cause notice to Rao under Article 204 and read with Section 3 the Contempt of Court Ordinance 2003 for defying the court order.

The State Bank of Pakistan governor was ordered to freeze bank accounts of Anwar. The court also directed Inspectors General of Police of all provinces to provide security to the witnesses when they approach the police seeking protection.

On February 13, the chief justice during the hearing of Naqeebullah case said that Anwar had written a letter to him making a claim that he was innocent and expressed his willingness to appear lest an independent joint investigation team was formed and will accept its decision whatever it may be.

The chief justice had granted protective bail to Anwar with the direction to Islamabad and Sindh police not to arrest him. The absconding police officer was asked to appear before the court on February 16 but he did not show up.

The bench took up the matter at 9:30 am but when it noticed that Anwar was not present, it adjourned the hearing. After around one hour, the chief justice again heard the case.

Sindh police Inspector General AD Khawaja told the bench that the day the Supreme Court passed the order, Anwar phoned him through Whatsapp call. He said that the court had directed Islamabad Police Inspector General to provide him [Anwar] security.

The chief justice, who seemed little disappointed after Anwar’s failed to honour his commitment, said: “Rao has missed the chance as the sympathy was there. We are withdrawing the last order and issuing the contempt notice. It is delinquency on the part of the police as they could not nab him (Anwar).”

Faisal Siddiqui advocate, representing the witnesses and Naqeebullah family, said that not only Anwar but also other police officers, accused in the murder case, from constable to assistant sub-inspector rank, have yet been arrested. “This is the open defiance of the court as Rao did not appear,” the counsel said requesting the court to issue the contempt of court against him. The Sindh police chief told the bench that of the 21 (accused) policemen, they have arrested nine.

The chief justice remarked that it was not even 50 percent. The chief justice then praising the Punjab police said: “I had reposed my trust in the Punjab police in the minor Zainab rape and killing case and gave 76 hours to arrest the accused, and the police took the accused into custody before the deadline.” The chief justice asked AD Khawaja “your reputation is at stake as results are not forthcoming.”

Siddiqui argued that the report of agencies’ reflect that collective effort had not been made. He further said that one agency even did not submit the report. He requested the chief justice to seek independent reports from the agencies. He said that Anwar had been to Dubai 74 times in the last eight years. “Either he was going to Dubai for love or money. He is an officer who is known to be corrupt, therefore, the NAB should be directed to look into this matter as well and initiate proceedings against him under the NAB law. Something should be practically done as all hopes are with the court,” he added.

The case is adjourned for two weeks.

 

SC issues contempt notice after no Rao show-up