Statement of key witness missing from interim challan in Naqeebullah case

F.P. Report

KARACHI: In a latest development in Naqeebullah Mehsud murder case, statement of a key police official is missing from the interim challan presented in the anti-terrorism court.

The interim challan was presented by Superindent of Police (SP) Dr Rizwan in the court.

According to a private television channel report, witness police officer Shahid’s testimony was included in the interim challan earlier in which he confirmed that Naqeebullah’s fake encounter was carried out in front of him.

The witness revealed that Naqeebullah Mehsud and his friends were moved to a house. Later, he heard gunshots when Shoaib Shooter and Amanullah Marwat entered the house.

Report of the incident was also prepared by Shahid but now his reference has been removed, whereas, statements of 99 other witness have been included in the interim challan.

Earlier on Thursday, the anti-terrorism court formally dismissed terrorism charges against Naqeebullah Mehsud, who was killed in a fake police encounter on January 13 last year.

The ATC judge dropped five cases against Naqeeb and also posthumously cleared three other men who were killed by the police.

The operation was led by SSP Rao Anwar, who was known for his harsh tactics. Rao Anwar initially claimed that the four men were part of a militant group that had been involved in attacks on security forces in Karachi, considered the country’s financial and commercial hub.

But the family and friends of Mehsud, a 27-year-old shopkeeper, challenged these claims. Mehsud, they said, was just a simple businessman with a dream of becoming a model. His Facebook page, on which he posted his glamorous photo shoots, had a large following.