ATC acquits 7 more policemen ‘for lack of evidence’ in Naqeebullah Mehsud's murder case

KARACHI - An Antiterrorism Court (ATC) in Karachi acquitted seven policemen on Saturday, claiming there was insufficient evidence to convict them in the murder of Naqeebullah Mehsud and three others allegedly killed in a staged encounter in January 2018. The accused included former Malir SSP Rao Anwar, as well as several other police officers.

The prosecution had presented over 40 witnesses to tie the accused to the crime, but the defense argued that no single witness directly implicated any of the accused. They also pointed out contradictions in the evidence and claimed the accused were framed for a mala fide intention. The case originated when Naqeebullah Mehsud and his companions were allegedly picked up by Rao Anwar's team, while the other two detainees were released.

The whereabouts of Mehsud remained unknown, and his phone was found powered off. The provincial police claimed Rao Anwar and his associates killed Mehsud and others in a staged encounter, but an inquiry committee found them involved in the case, which was later overturned by the trial court in 2023.