Karachi police said on Sunday that eight suspects, “involved in running an extortion network” were arrested during a raid at the residence of Pakistan Sunni Tehreek (PST) chairman Muhammad Sarwat Ejaz Qadri in Karachi.

Special Investigation Unit (SIU) Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Imran Khan confirmed Saturday night’s development during a press briefing in Karachi today.

At the same time, he also clarified that Qadri was neither wanted by police nor had he been arrested. Moreover, the official said police had no evidence of the suspects’ association with any party.

The SSP also clarified that police had found no evidence of the involvement of the PST chief or any other member in the extortion network.

SSP Khan said multiple cases had been registered against the arrested suspects, who were associated with an extortion network run by two men, who he identified as Wasiullah Lakho and Abdul Samad Kathiawari.

These two “most-wanted” suspects were reportedly “in hiding abroad”, the official said, adding that three other suspects had been playing a key role in running the extortion network in Karachi. The official identified those three suspects as Mullah Shahzaib, Jawwad alias Waja Qadri and Rehanuddin.

The SSP said the Karachi additional inspector general had constituted a special task force for action against extortion last week. The team comprised west zone deputy inspector general (DIG), Crime Investigation Agency DIG, central SSP and SIU SSP, he added.

Two days ago, he continued, the SIU arrested suspect Rehanuddin in an injured condition. “He is named in a case of extortion and firing at a car showroom, which was registered at the Jamshed Quarters police station a month ago.”

“During initial interrogation, the suspect revealed the names of other members and heads of the [extortion] group,” the official said, adding that based on the information shared by him, the SIU and central police conducted a joint raid in the jurisdiction of Rizvia police station on Saturday night.

Seventeen people were detained during the raid, he said, adding that nine weapons, including G-3 rifles, submachine guns and pistols, were also confiscated.

Initial investigation showed that eight of the detained suspects had criminal records, including Mullah Shahzaib and Jawwad. Apart from them, three suspects accused of firing while carrying out extortion activities and three “facilitators” were arrested, he added.

Ten cases had been registered with the SIU against nine suspects involved in extortion, including Rehanuddin, the SSP said.

He said further investigation of the matter was under way.

Replying to a question, he said if it was established that anyone had provided shelter to the suspects or kept them in hiding, action would be taken against that individual as well.

He also confirmed that among the suspects, Rehanuddin had contested elections in 2024 as an independent candidate for an MNA seat.