Ex-Senator Faisal Raza Abidi arrested over Patel Para killings: police
108
Former Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Faisal Raza Abidi was arrested during an early morning raid at his Karachi residence on Saturday, police said.
Confirming his arrest to Dawn, Jamshed Quarters SP Tahir Noorani said Abidi was taken into custody in connection with the killing of two men who belonged to the Tableeghi Jamaat in Patel Para area of the metropolis a day earlier.
“We have arrested Faisal Abidi for his alleged involvement in the double murder case,” said SP Jamshed Quarters Tahir Noorani.
But in the evening, a top-ranking police officer said that Abidi was “detained” and being investigated in some previous cases of sectarian killings. “He will be released if found innocent,” he said, asking not to be named.
Abidi is now in custody of the police investigation department for interrogation, the police official said.
The murders happened yesterday as armed pillion riders shot the two men dead near the Fatima Bai Hospital and rode away. A spokesman of the outlawed Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) had yesterday claimed that the two victims were their supporters, however, the area SHO said the men killed hailed from Khuzdar and were associated with the Tableeghi Jamaat.
The FIR (379/2016) for the double murder was registered at Jamshed Quarters police station on Friday night under Section 302 (murder) and 7-ATA (anti-terrorism act of 1997) on complaint of the victims’ relative Ghulam Mohammed, said SHO Inam Hasan Junejo. The case was registered against unknown suspects, the official added.
The double murder was followed by killings of three members of ASWJ at Shafiq Mor in North Karachi and a prayer leader in Hyderi Market.
Counter-Terrorism Department official Raja Umer Khattab told Dawn that the same group was involved in all six murders of Friday as the police’s forensic lab report confirmed that the same weapon was used in three separate incidents.
Before his arrest, police and Rangers personnel arrived at the former Senator's residence in the city's New Rizvia Society in at least 10 vehicles at around 2:30am, sources told DawnNews.They searched Abidi's house for about half an hour before taking him into custody.
The firebrand PPP leader had resigned from his Senate seat in 2014 after developing differences with his party.
Abidi, once among the most trusted lieutenants of former president Asif Zardari, was accused of violating party discipline and repeatedly issuing statements in favour of martial law.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (108) Closed
Nov 05, 2016 08:59am
The cat has jumped out of bag of PPP kids.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 09:04am
Unless the LEAS have suspicion about a person or unless the person is allegedly involved in some crime....LEAs "must NOT" arrest a person. Moreover no disclosure of arrest and shifting the person to "undisclosed" place MUST stop. All arrests MUST be officially made so that the family of arrested person know who took their guy.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 09:04am
He will be joining PSP shortly and all his cases will be dropped.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 09:11am
Let us wait and see what this ex- senator says to LEAs.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 09:28am
Interesting development.. sounds like LEAs had some credible information of high value against him.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 09:41am
Don't understand why he was detained? The robbers are getting released and people like Abidi is detained.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 09:47am
This man has answers for all the ills of pakistan. Atleast he believes so it seems.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 09:54am
What he has done?
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 10:00am
After hearing all of this I'm in favor of martial law ..there are vast majority in favor martial law..something not right, there must be something else,why undisclosed location. Why hiding from media, what are the charges. Was there any warrent of arrest. I guess we will be rogue, we had been rogue and we will always be rogue..punish a criminal with due process or else we are drifting from civilization
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 10:12am
Now Ranger are taken side of PPP and arrested a ex PPP politician who have been exposing PPP and PML-N corruption.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 10:18am
Why great man in custody.he is asset of our country and supporter of shia community. We condemn this illegal behave of agency.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 10:25am
The real cat who used to drink milk secretly is caught now
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 10:32am
Fiery speeches are ok as long as these don't ignite the surroundings...
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 10:36am
NAP should be thrown in garbage.
Banned organizations are allowed to do rallies in capital and karachi this week.
But the bold person Abidi who exposed these terror organizations is detained.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 10:42am
This man's conspiracy theories were next level . It was thoroughly hilarious and enjoyable. Looks like the illuminati got him this time.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 10:51am
And yet the corrupt senate and parliament roams free. Pakistan couldve been such a wonderful place if honest lead the country. Instead thugs take seats.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 10:52am
His biggest crime is that he is Muhajir urdu speaker from Karachi....
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 11:06am
Why in a democracy people are taken to undisclosed locations?
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 11:07am
If any one has a reason to contradict Sen Abidi, he's not believing what he is seeing.If we see someone doing wrong and still believe he is an innocent, we have lost our morality.A common mans problem is the basic rights that state has to render, if democracy or democratic governments are busy in their own interests, and willingly or unwillingly , avoid that responsibility, rightly we are dumb to call a spade ..spade
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 11:18am
Sounds like a set up by PPP.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 11:24am
Its not surprising because his views regarding opponent religious parties are on record.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 11:40am
@Babar I dont thing so, because he was never associated with mqm, infact he was a staunch supporter of PPP and served that party as senator in the Parliament until 2014. He is known to be against Pakistan's relations with Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 11:55am
Now the charges will be laid against Mr. Abidi for being involved in conspiracy to topple peoples elected government......
who will be next ???
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 12:19pm
It's a punishment watching him on television he speaks so frustrated and dillusional.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 12:41pm
Allowing banned outfits to have jalsa and capturing those who always speak according to the Pakistan's constitution. I don't know on which direction we want to go
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 12:46pm
How long will the ill remain hidden? This was long long overdue. We need respectable and presentable people as leaders, not street ruffian brands.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 01:02pm
A very daring and vocal person is detained for no reason. What is this? Are we living in democratic era???
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 01:12pm
good step
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 01:15pm
@Ahmed Ali khan : You never know who is the ringleader of all those who get quickly released after arrest.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 01:20pm
Can you name a politician who is not corrupt.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 01:25pm
All sane voices are being kept silent. This government has introduced new democracy. But something goes up comes down too.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 01:25pm
@Sarfaraz : Being daring without being tactfully productive is suicidal.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 01:31pm
This is an abduction.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 01:49pm
What a pace of operation. Like grazing in the fields.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 01:52pm
He openly criticize SA and his for the role of Iran in Iraq and syria against the minorities over there. Thorough probe should be done against all those may affect communal harmony and resorting to acts of violence.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 01:58pm
@Viking Star Has Pakistan become a police State?
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 02:05pm
Party discipline! Is there anything like that!
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 02:08pm
The most probable reason which appear to be is the interview he had given where in he has asked that CPEC will not deliver the results which the govt is claiming.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 02:18pm
Faisal Abidi has been involved in anti-Pakistan activities.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 02:27pm
It seems after MQM now PPP is getting into hot water.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 02:35pm
Faisal Abidi is a brave and honest Person. He must join PTI.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 03:08pm
@Ebrahim Yes, IK.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 03:10pm
He is being victimized by the Mafia for being an upright and outspoken truth teller.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 03:16pm
@The end is near Are you saying PTI is aprty of honest and brave people!!!
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 03:19pm
@The end is near Nobody is honest in this political system
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 03:20pm
I am really at a loss for words. Under the veneer of a politician is the other side of a person who does not believe in law and takes law in his hands to probably settle religious differences.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 03:28pm
Proposterous and baseless allegation.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 03:29pm
@Viking Star Poor MQM people are also saying this.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 03:30pm
@Ahmed Ali khan This is our country and anything can happen and looters are roaming freely .
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 03:31pm
The robbers are getting released and people like Abidi is detained.This is our double e standard !
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 03:33pm
The outspoken Abidi is victim of his critics on the corrupt mofia and looters of national wealth by the present and the past ruling elites.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 03:39pm
I wonder if Police has arrested someone for Nazimabad family killings as well.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 03:45pm
@Huzaifah: All FIVE fingers are not the Same- All the people are not the Same. You would have to dig deep to find a leader like IK in Pakistan's checkered history whose sincerity can not be questioned, or who did not enrich himself while in government.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 03:53pm
More than dozen Shias were killed since moharram and no one has been arrested. But Raja Umar Khattab has been so quick to arrest Abidi...
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 03:57pm
Most out spoken person in Pakistan
Arrested by making a funny and forged allegation
WHO did it and to please whom????
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 04:03pm
NO extremist no extremism should be allowed whoever they are. NO KILLING
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 04:02pm
I am truly amazed by most of the comments here. The guy is accused of involvement in the most serious of crimes and here people are declaring him innocent without any investigation. Tells a lot about what this society has become (or has always been?) No single comment so far expressing sympathies with the families of those killed. We should be hoping for justice being done regardless of the accused person's political, religious or ethnic affiliation.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 04:05pm
This man is highly corrupt person.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 04:17pm
He left PPP long time agao and has no relation with MQM as well. But yes he is Urdu speaker but dont believe he has been taken into custody due to this reason.
He might be propagating sectarian violence but so do Jhangvi or other outfits and I personally dont believe this is the real reason.
Probably its a PPP setup as he was exposing blunders of politicians of PPP and PML N along with corruption in KESC etc...
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 04:29pm
He openly confessed in TV program of performing his religious duty while sending men to syria, this gives reason to doubt his personality in anti communal activities.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 04:33pm
@Asif .. There's is no democracy in Pakistan, government has been doing this this kind of thing for long time,
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 04:38pm
Faisal Raza Abidi Speaks truth, and the truth is bitter, Karachi is again in grip of Banned outfits.
Who was responsible for Quetta and pesahawar incidents? Any action against Banned outfits?
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 04:38pm
He is man of integrity,however law enforcing agency will satisfy themselves and hopefully he would be exonerated.Law enforcement agencies if find appropriate keep his family member aware of his well-being.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 04:39pm
The arrest should be within the framework of law and the accused should be provided fair chance to prove himself innocent
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 04:44pm
Is he being treated like a VIP? How soon will he get the bail? I will say within a week.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 04:49pm
Politics revenge in Pakistan has been on the hike since independent,our history is full of it and yet we say it's democracy Do we find this sort of democracy in the western world?
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 04:53pm
He is a honest and truthful Pakistani
If you tell the truth it is hard to survive.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 05:11pm
Amazing all comments are about HIM..
Any comments about victims/ family?
After reading the long paragraphs of news, how many of us still remember the number of people killed , 2, 3, 4..
Anything which has no value, doesnt register in our memory,
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 05:22pm
@Viking Star throughout the world police arrest based on prima facie evidence. This is a minimum requirement.
The accused can always get bail.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 05:23pm
@Asif To prevent mobs from attacking the place where the individual is kept.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 06:00pm
It seem all are in the same boat sharing corruption.Instead of fighting corruption the mother of terrorism we are targeting those who are against corruption.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 06:02pm
@Ahmed Yes,
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 06:10pm
While militant organizations leader are meeting federal minister in Islamabad and no action taken against Lal masjid people who are raising voice against militants are getting silenced one after another
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 06:11pm
@Ahmed Yes, without further delay immediate action should be taken to arrest people responsible for the recent Shia killings.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 06:17pm
@Zubaida Khan so you mean to say that there's justification for picking up any person and taking them to any place without providing the details of their whereabouts to their family and dear ones.
He is a well known VIP so will be treated differently. I am thinking what happens to ordinary people. A lot of them will never return to their homes.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 06:55pm
@Sajjad and Im truly amazed on your ignorance here. FIR was registerd against na maloom afraad but still he is arrested on the behest of proscribed organization.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 07:05pm
Very quick investigation, how about the killings of 9 people murdered during a majlis less than 2 weeks go?
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 07:39pm
Congratulations to police for arresting Abdi within hours of crime. Hope he is not victimised. Surprisingly Amjad Sabri killers still at large.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 08:01pm
How in the world do the criminally minded get elected?
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 08:15pm
I like Faisal Raza Abdi because
He is a wonderful speaker.
He is not hypocrite.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 08:28pm
@Sameer you are absolutely right but who elects these leaders? When the people of Pakistan stops electing corrupt politicians on the basis of baradri and kickbacks only then Pakistan will prosper.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 08:37pm
It is unbelievable. He is not so cruel that he can murder.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 08:45pm
They can find cache of arms, illegal substances, narcotics, you name it from any citizen, just point the finger. In every arrest the arresting authority, place of detention and the cause must be stated in writing.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 08:52pm
The tide turns when you change side. I hope this case will be impartially conducted.
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 08:59pm
Far away from Pakistan, it looks to me that corruption or corrupts only prevail in either Karachi / Sindh, or Baluchistan. I didn't observe such big-fish catch in the bigger province. Did you observe that too?
Recommend
0
Nov 05, 2016 11:11pm
@Yaqoot Its a matter of priority
Recommend
0
Nov 06, 2016 01:28am
A new drama starts
Recommend
0
Nov 06, 2016 01:32am
the investigation should be done to probe into the matter and if he is involved should be given hard punishment
Recommend
0
Nov 06, 2016 01:52am
Apparently LEAs will interrogate him on yesterday incidents of target killing. Faisal Raza Abidi has always believed in law and has always promoted the respect for law. He can never be involved in target killing business. If law abiding citizens will be put behind bars, it will create anxiety among other law abiding citizens and respect for law will be lowered. I urge law enforcement agencies to free Faisal Raza Abidi and should appreciate his respect for law.
Recommend
0
Nov 06, 2016 02:07am
Just a sectarian victim. Very unfair arrest. All the guns they found has licence.
Recommend
0
Nov 06, 2016 08:19am
nice acts are being taking by this leader...We are proud of you..keep it up...thanks for the sacrifices taken.
Recommend
0
Nov 06, 2016 11:48am
I still don't understand why not the police arrested those actors which are famous for killng the innocent peoples. Peoples like abidi are always active in defending their cause. No, one can find law and order in pakistan speacially in karachi. God bless sindh/ karachi...
Recommend
0
Nov 06, 2016 02:15pm
Everyone in govt & opposition is against him as he expose all of them with proves. Also the banned organizations hate him too. This may be connected with the meeting of Ch. Nisar with ASWJ leader Ludhianvi. He will be released soon I.A
Recommend
0
Nov 06, 2016 08:05pm
@Babar agree with you
Recommend
0
Nov 06, 2016 09:39pm
across the board, just slogans in past, BUT REALITY THIS TIME. SALUTE TO THE FORCES.
Recommend
0
Nov 06, 2016 09:57pm
@Logic;
'It's a punishment watching him on television he speaks so frustrated and delusional.'
You tolerate things you don't like. TV does not belong to anyone.
Recommend
0
Nov 06, 2016 09:59pm
I hope he doesn't become the new Saulat Mirza and is accused of everything from the murder of Liaqat Ali Khan to Amjad sabri.
Recommend
0
Nov 07, 2016 12:32am
@Sajjad Hi, I hope you don't mind, those people who were killed belonged to banned outfits. If we are to express sympathy, we are to express them with the victims of these said organizations. When things go the other way around, then times have really changed. And those aren't really supposed to be seen as such good times to live in.
Recommend
0
Nov 07, 2016 01:08am
I think every PPP politician in Sindh can be charged for possession of weapons, what about Zulfiqar Mirza.
Beside every thing Police can recover any thing from any house or person they like.
Recommend
0
Nov 07, 2016 02:04am
@MYOBSERVATION Every sane and Pakistan-loving person is against Pakistan government's worshipping of Saudi rulers because they are on the payroll of the corrupt Saudis.
Recommend
0
Nov 07, 2016 03:41am
Law enforcement should enforce the law. Arbitrary arrests is not law enforcement. If the FIR was the basis of this arrest then same should apply to the CM Punjab for the model town incident
Recommend
0
Nov 07, 2016 09:07am
@Babar oh please! Stop using this Urdu and Mohajir card for any criminal caught.
Recommend
0
Nov 07, 2016 09:24am
They searched his house, Dont the authorities need search warrant to be oked by the judge in Pakistan?
Recommend
0
Nov 07, 2016 09:46am
Our LEAs only arrest soft targets and that also only to show they are doing something
Recommend
0
Nov 07, 2016 10:32am
@MJ Khan Agreed
Recommend
0
Nov 07, 2016 11:42am
We strongly condemn the arrest of faisal raza abidi
Recommend
0
Nov 07, 2016 11:49am
He is the brave young and dynamic politician who always talked sense..hope he is released soon!
Recommend
0
Nov 07, 2016 05:00pm
@Soomro qamar how please explain in every aspect?
Recommend
0
