Hundreds of protesters in Islamabad are conducting sit-ins demanding justice for the extrajudicial killing of Naqeebullah Mehsud and three other men. The four men were killed on Jan.13. in a "fake police encounter" in Karachi. Protesters are demanding the arrest of former SSP Malir Rao Anwar, senior superintendent of the police in Karachi, for setting the men up and killing them. Until his arrest, protesters will continue with the sit- in.

As protesters are growing in size Pakistan has ordered a news blackout. Many activists have taken to Twitter about the growing sit- in.

Ghani Khan Baba, who is a Pashtun nationalist politician, writer, and philosopher is asking for international coverage of the events happening.

SSP Malir Rao Anwar

Anwar had claimed the men were members of Tehreek-i-Taliban, which was later found to be untrue during an inquiry and investigation. Anwar had reported that he had received a tip and the men fired upon and threw hand grenades at the officers. A three-member committee conducted the investigation and found that the killings were staged and that the men were not connected to the terror group or any other organization. On Saturday (Feb. 3) Anwar was dismissed from his position on the police force, as reported by DAWN News.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar is demanding answers from Sindh Inspector General of Police AD Khawaja as to why Anwar has not been arrested yet for the murders.

It is believed that Anwar has gone into hiding and the police have begun conducting raids throughout the community of Shah Latif Town, Karachi searching for him. It is believed that Anwar has been involved in hundreds of extrajudicial killings. Six other officers have also been arrested in connection with the murders, according to Samaa TV.

It has been reported that there is a high rate of corruption within Pakistani police force and reforms are needed. Human Rights Watch reports that thousands have been killed in extrajudicial ways. Bribery is commonplace amongst the force.

Naqueebullah Mehsud

Shahid Afridi, former Pakistani cricket player, philanthropist, owner of the Shahid Afridi Foundation and creator of Do Something, met with Mehsud father.

After the meeting, he tweeted that he demanded justice and demanded that this never happens again. He stated, “my heartfelt condolences to Naqeebullah Mehsuds family. No words can do justice to their loss.”

Naqeebullah Mehsud, 27, was from South Waziristan. He had no police record. According to Noor Khan, a relative of Mehsud stated that his cousin had been a ”factory worker and was planning on opening up a clothing store in Karachi.” Khan also stated that Mehsud also, “wanted to be a model and social media superstar,” as reported by GEO News.
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