Suspect indicted in Waqas Shah murder case

KARACHI: An anti-terrorism court on Saturday framed charges of murder against a unit incharge of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Asif Ali, for the killing of a party worker, Waqas Shah, on March 11 when the Rangers raided Nine Zero and adjoining areas.

The accused had been arrested by the Rangers in the Shahdadpur area on June 25. They claimed that Ali killed Shah, a member of the MQM's literature committee, at Nine Zero, headquarters of the party, on March 11 earlier this year.

The MQM had claimed that Shah was killed when Rangers personnel fired point blank on party workers during the raid at their headquarters. However, this was denied by the Sindh Rangers, who claimed that Shah was killed by a small arm fire, probably a 30 bore or a 9mm pistol, which was not used by paramilitary personnel.

The Rangers officials claimed that after killing Shah, Ali had been deserted by the party leadership. He fled to Shahdadpur where he was arrested by the Rangers personnel in a raid.

Remand extended

Another anti-terrorism court extended the remand period of another MQM activist, Arshad Qureshi, till November 29.

A sector incharge for the party, Qureshi is alleged to have killed several workers of the Sunni Tehreek and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

The investigation officer (IO) requested the court that the accused was being interrogated. However, since his remand period had expire, he had been brought to court for extension.

He claimed the accused was involved in the killings of several workers of the two political parties, and requested further time for interrogation.

The court allowed the request and granted physical remand till November 29.

RAW agent remanded

An anti-terrorism court extended the physical remand of Arif, said to be an agent of RAW, for seven days.

The investigation officer told the court that Arif had been working in the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board and was also a member of a political party. However, he said, the accused also worked for RAW, the Indian intelligence agency.

The IO asked the court to extend the remand and allowed the police to keep Arif in their custody for seven more days for interrogation.—Originally published in The News