KARACHI: Police on Friday took Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Khawaja Izhar-ul-Hassan into custody after a raid was conducted on his house.

SSP RAO Anwaar suspended; DIG also removed 

Television footage showed Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Malir Rao Anwar reaching Izhar’s residence and taking the MQM leader into custody. Chief Minister has suspended SSP Rao Anwaar while DIG East Dr. Kamran has been also been removed . The CM also orderd release of Izhar.

Earlier in the day, police raided Izhar’s residence, after which Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah ordered the suspension of the station house officer at a Sohrab Goth police station.

The chief minister also sought a report from Inspector General Police Sindh A.D. Khawaja regarding the raid.

The MQM has been in the midst of a crisis since party chief Altaf Hussain issued controversial anti-Pakistan statements. Following the incident, party leadership in Pakistan distanced itself from the London offices and Altaf.