Ehteshamuddin Haider, the administrator of the Fatimid Foundation, was shot dead by unidentified people in Soldier Bazaar on Friday night.
When contacted, SSP leader Maulana Nadeem told Dawn on his mobile phone that he had been detained at the Khuwaja Ajmer Nagri police station, but was being allowed to attend the phone calls.
“I don’t know how many of my workers have been detained by the law-enforcement agencies”, he said.
DIG Karachi Tariq Jamil said Maulana Nadeem had been taken into custody for interrogation in some other matter, and his detention was not in connection with the killing of Ehteshamuddin Haider.
Tariq Jamil said four different teams had been formed to investigate the killing of Mr Haider. He said he had been supervising two teams — working under SSP CIA and SSP district East — while the two other teams had been working in the supervisions of DIG CID and DIG Crimes Branch.
Mr Jamil further said that the police had been working on different aspects to find out a clue to the killing. The lines on which we are working are: sectarian or jehadi element, ethnic terrorism or any matter within the Fatimid Foundation.”
The police have taken into custody a number of people for interrogation and most of them have been released after questioning, he said.
Those interrogated included officials of the Fatimid Foundation, area people and eyewitnesses. Some other people were also taken into custody for interrogation and were released after questioning.
Tension gripped the area after the incident and a heavy police posse has been deployed. The law-enforcement agencies cordoned off the vicinity soon after the incident and started checking cars, motorcycles, and other public transport.
HAIDER: Talking to newsmen after his arrival at the airport, interior minister Moinuddin Haider refused to name any group in the slaying of his brother, adds APP.
The identity of the persons involved in the killing would be unveiled with a passage of time.
“Special investigation teams have been constituted to apprehend the culprits and they are expected to track down the killers soon”, he added.
Talking to newsmen after the funeral prayers, the minister described the murder as an act of terrorism.
“He was innocent who had no enmity with anybody.”
Moinuddin Haider said the incident proves that terrorists were still there.
To a question about the involvement of foreign hand in the murder, he said it would be premature to comment on this.
The minister said so far no clue had been found. The police were, however, investigating the case.