BADIN: Sindh Chamber of Agriculture president Qabool Mohammad Khatian has claimed that his farmhouse and guest house (autaq) were raided by personnel of some security agency in Meena village near Tando Bago town of Badin district on Saturday night.

Mr Khatian, a close aide to Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, claimed that the raiding party riding a large number of vehicles entered the village and drove to his farmhouse and guest house where they ransacked the furniture apparently in search of something.

He said he did not have any idea as to why the raid was conducted and what they were in search of. However, he added, he had been expecting such an action since he had a close association with former president Zardari, who was currently facing several inquiries and investigations into the mega money laundering scam and fake accounts cases.

Mr Khatian, who is a major landlord of Badin, said he was not informed about the raid or its purpose as he was not named in any criminal case or civil suit. He said even the area police appeared unaware of the raid before it was conducted.

In reply to a question, he said he had actively participated in the PPP’s campaign for the recent general elections in Badin district.

Published in Dawn, September 17th, 2019