KARACHI: SSP Malir Rao Anwar, talking to media persons after the arrest of MQM's Khawaja Izharul Hassan, referred to the arrested MQM leader as the “chief of target killers”.

“We had intelligence reports of his involvement in unrest. There was a spike in target killings in New Karachi, and he is also called the chief of target killers,” alleged Anwar.

The SSP also clarified that permission from the Speaker of the Sindh Assembly is not needed, and the speaker only needs to be informed if law enforcement agencies arrest a lawmaker.

“We need to inform in writing the speaker of the national or provincial assemblies after the arrest is made. Arrests are made according to law.”

The senior police official reiterated that arresting an individual is part of the procedure, and the individual can only be released through a court order.

“The leaders of the political party were picked up by Rangers some weeks back, and no one said a word,” lamented the SSP.

He added that Hassan has pending FIRs against him, and there should be no finger pointing if a police official acts in line with his duty.

“I have adopted a legal procedure for his arrest,” said the officer.

Anwar also termed his suspension from duty as a wrongful act.

“I was placed under suspension in haste and it was wrong to do so,” said Rao Anwar.

Anwar warned that there would be “side effects” of his suspension.

When asked by the media if he was under orders from security agencies, Anwar denied the allegation and said he was not instructed to make the arrest by any security agency.

The SSP said MQM leaders had raised slogans against Pakistan and had used abusive language against the armed forces.

He believed that it was a wrong to say that the MQM leaders in Pakistan had “disconnected” with their founder, Altaf Hussain in London.

“They are still working under orders of Altaf Hussain,” believed Rao Anwar.

To another question, the police officer said there was no need to seek permission from IG Sindh for such an arrest.

“If there was FIR registered against anyone, a sub-inspector has powers to arrest such persons nominated in the FIR and he has no need to seek permission from anyone.”

Earlier in the day, police raided Izhar's residence, after which the chief minister ordered suspension of the station house officer at a Sohrab Goth police station and sought a report from Inspector General Police Sindh A.D. Khawaja regarding the raid.