KARACHI: Karachi police on Sunday confirmed the arrest of eight individuals allegedly involved in an extortion network during a raid at the residence of Pakistan Sunni Tehreek (PST) chairman Muhammad Sarwat Ejaz Qadri.
Special Investigation Unit (SIU) Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Imran Khan clarified that Qadri was neither wanted nor detained, and there was no evidence linking him or any other PST member to the criminal network.
The arrested suspects are believed to be part of an extortion operation led by two men, Wasiullah Lakho and Abdul Samad Kathiawari, who remain at large abroad. Three additional suspects—Mullah Shahzaib, Jawwad alias Waja Qadri, and Rehanuddin—played central roles in the network’s activities in Karachi, SSP Khan said.
A special task force was formed last week by the Karachi Additional Inspector General to target extortion operations. The unit included senior officials from the Crime Investigation Agency, the central police, and the SIU.
The raid followed information obtained during the interrogation of Rehanuddin, who was arrested two days prior while injured. He disclosed the identities of other members, leading police to conduct the operation in the jurisdiction of Rizvia Police Station.
Seventeen individuals were initially detained during the raid, and authorities recovered nine firearms, including G-3 rifles, submachine guns, and pistols. Preliminary checks revealed that eight of the suspects had prior criminal records. Ten cases have been registered with the SIU against nine individuals for extortion and related violent acts.
SSP Khan added that further investigation is ongoing and that any individual found providing shelter or support to the suspects will face legal action. Notably, Rehanuddin had contested the 2024 elections as an independent candidate for a National Assembly seat.
