KARACHI: Anjuman Naujwanan-i-Islam (ANI) chief and member of Sunni Ittehad Council Tariq Mehboob died in custody on Saturday, however, it is not clear whether his death took place in Central Jail Karachi or Rangers' custody.

While officials initially asserted that Mehboob died of a heart attack, his family suspects foul play and alleges that he was tortured.

Last week, Mehboob and seven others were picked up by paramilitary force personnel near Yousuf Plaza in Block 16 of Federal B area, and shifted to an undisclosed location for interrogation.

The ANI chief was accused of providing refuge to target killers which is punishable under the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997.

Two days earlier, Mehboob was produced in an anti-terrorism court (ATC) which remanded him in Rangers' custody for 90 days under the Protection of Pakistan Ordinance (PPO).

However, a press release issued by the Rangers said the accused was sent for 90 days Preventive Detention by ATC in Central Jail on April 16 after completing all legal formalities for further investigation.

The press release added that he did not die in Rangers' custody and that he died in Central Jail Karachi.

After completion of legal formalities, his body was shifted to a hospital where a post mortem was conducted. The cause of his death was kept reserved.

MQM demands formation of judicial commission to probe Mehboob's death

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Nadeem Nusrat demanded the formation of a judicial commission to probe the death of ANI chief Tariq Mehboob.

The MQM leader said Mehbood was a citizen of Karachi and his death had grieved each and every worker of the MQM as well as the people of Karachi.

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