The Sindh government on Saturday reinstated SSP Malir Rao Anwar after over a month he was suspended for illegally arresting Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Khawaja Izharul Hasan.
However, a notification issued by the provincial authorities said that the police chief has yet to face the disciplinary proceedings.
“With the approval of the competent authority, Mr. Anwar Ahmed Khan (BS-18) Senior Superintendent of Police, whose services were placed under suspension vide this department’s order is hereby re-instated in service with immediate effect, pending disciplinary proceedings,” the communique read.
On September 16, MQM lawmaker Izhar was arrested and released five hours later in a rare move by the Sindh police that triggered a political firestorm in Karachi.
Both the provincial chief minister and the prime minister intervened in the high-profile arrest by Rao Anwar in a clear effort to ease the tension between the government and MQM.
Later on, the police officer challenged his suspension in the Sindh High Court. According to Anwar’s petition, the raid was conducted to arrest Izhar and was done in accordance with law. “All legal formalities were fulfilled,” he stated in the petition.
