Karachi, 11 September (H.S.):

Police have arrested the main suspect in the alleged attack and hostage-taking of Karachi University professor Dr. Mohammad Arif Khan Saki and his nephew. Police identified the arrested suspect as Syed Mohammad Konain Shah. Police officials said Shah was arrested despite having secured bail, as there were fears that he might flee the city.

According to a report by The News, Syed Mohammad Konain Shah was arrested after the chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior Affairs expressed displeasure over the failure to apprehend him. Shah had secured interim bail from a Malir additional district and sessions court on Thursday. The court had directed him to join the investigation.

The case is related to an incident that took place near Safoora Chowrangi, where Dr. Saki was allegedly assaulted. The incident occurred following a collision between a double-cabin vehicle and the online taxi in which the professor was travelling. During the incident, the professor and his nephew were also allegedly held hostage. Police are now expected to question Shah as part of the investigation and determine his alleged role in the incident.

Police established that the vehicle in which Dr. Saki was travelling was being driven by his nephew, Waheedur Rahman. According to Dr. Saki, the double-cabin vehicle was emerging from a parking area when its guard signalled the taxi to stop. The vehicle then moved backwards and collided with the taxi. The professor said he asked the occupants of the double-cabin vehicle to compensate the taxi driver for the damage caused by the collision.

Dr. Saki said that the hotel owner’s son subsequently got out of the vehicle, fired two shots and then struck him with the butt of a pistol before firing into the air. He also said that he and his nephew were taken to the hotel, where they were allegedly subjected to torture. Police registered a case against Konain and others on the basis of Dr. Saki’s complaint.

Police also detained three employees of a local hotel in connection with the incident and launched efforts to arrest other people allegedly involved in the attack. Following the incident, Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar sought a detailed report from the Senior Superintendent of Police (East) regarding the alleged mistreatment of the professor and his unlawful detention. Lanjar said that the dignity, respect and security of teachers would be ensured at all costs. He also promised that those involved in the incident would face action in accordance with the law.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar