Rangers arrest Asad Kharal from Hyderabad: sources

HYDERABAD: Paramilitary Rangers on Thursday evening rounded up Asad Kharal, who had fled from the custody of Rangers in Larkana, from Hyderabad, sources told Geo News.

The raid leading to the arrest of Muhammad Ali alias Asad Kharal was conducted on an intelligence tip-off, according to sources. He was whisked to an undisclosed location immediately after arrest.

Sources said that Asad Kharal is being grilled on multiple issues.

Asad Kharal, worker of Pakistan People's Party (PPP), is alleged of corruption worth millions of rupees and acting as a ‘front man’ for a key figure in the Sindh provincial government.

Earlier, Rangers arrested him in Larkana, but he was set free by his supporters who confronted the paramilitary soldiers, raising serious questions about the handling of law and order in the province.

In an official statement on July 15, Director General (DG) Rangers Major General Bilal Akbar said the Karachi operation has been extended to other parts of Sindh.

"Criminals take kidnapped hostages to rural Sindh. The operation will target every criminal," the DG Rangers asserted.

The row between Sindh government and Rangers deepened over Asad Kharal last week when the paramilitary personnel and police briefly surrounded the residence of Sindh Home Minister Sohail Anwar Siyal, in an apparent move to arrest Asad Kharal and Tariq Siyal - brother of the home minister.

Previous reports also suggested that over 10 close aides of Tariq Siyal and Asad Kharal have already been arrested from different parts of Larkana.