An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Karachi has directed the release on bail of former Station House Officer (SHO) Amanullah Marwat along with several other accused in the widely followed murder case of Naqeebullah Mehsud. The court’s order included co-accused Fida Hussain, Sadaqat Hussain, Riaz Ahmed, Raja Shamim, and Mohsin Abbas.
During the hearing, the defense argued that none of the witnesses testified to the police encounter being fabricated. After the final arguments concluded, the prosecution requested permission to reopen its case, which the court allowed. Notably, the ATC emphasized that with the prosecution reopening its side, the accused could no longer be held in extended detention, prompting their release on bail.
The prosecution informed the court that former SSP Malir Rao Anwar and 18 other police officers had already been acquitted in connection with the case. Additionally, it was revealed that seven police officials, including Amanullah Marwat, were previously declared absconders but later surrendered following the court’s directive.
Among the accused, Shoaib Shooter is currently out on bail, while the others, including Amanullah Marwat, had been in custody until this recent decision.
Naqeebullah Mehsud, aged 27, was killed on January 13, 2018, in a police encounter in Karachi’s Malir district that was later alleged to be staged. Mehsud, an aspiring model and textile factory worker, was shot along with three others during what police claimed was a raid targeting a Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hideout. Both Mehsud’s family and the TTP denied any affiliation between him and the militant group.
