Karachi police arrested nine suspects, including three alleged extortionists, during a late-night raid at Qadri House in Nazimabad on Saturday, officials confirmed.
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SSP Special Investigation Unit (SIU) Dr Imran Khan said that the arrested individuals included Jawad Qadri and Mullah Shahzeb. He clarified that Pakistan Sunni Tehreek chief Sarwat Ijaz Qadri was not detained during the operation, contrary to reports circulating on social media.
According to the SSP, a total of 169 extortion-related incidents were reported during the year, of which 65 were verified as extortion cases, while the remaining complaints stemmed from personal disputes. He categorically denied any involvement of Pakistan Sunni Tehreek’s leadership, stating that the organisation’s senior figures had no connection with the case.
SSP Khan said the suspects were wanted in multiple cases and were allegedly operating an organised extortion network. The arrests were made following intelligence provided by a previously arrested suspect, Rehan, who was involved in extortion and firing incidents in the Jamshed Quarters area.
Acting on his information, police raided Qadri House and arrested several suspects, including Jawad Qadri alias Khawaja and Shahzeb Mullah. Police officials said the suspects were reportedly in contact with the Samad Kathiawadi group.
During the operation, law enforcement recovered a large cache of weapons, ammunition, mobile phones, and gold ornaments. The suspects are also believed to have prior criminal records. Further investigations are ongoing.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Sunni Tehreek strongly condemned the police raid. Its central spokesperson claimed that security cameras at Qadri House were deliberately damaged and alleged that party office-bearers and workers from the Karachi Division were unlawfully detained.
SSP Khan further disclosed that 21 accused had been arrested over the past week in multiple operations. He said five encounters took place between SIU teams and suspects, resulting in the arrest of two extortionists and three other criminals in injured condition.
He added that the crackdown is part of an ongoing operation against extortion networks, some of which are being operated from abroad. Extortion cases have been registered at the Sukhun, Surjani, Tipu Sultan, and Jamshed Quarters police stations.
In addition, police arrested drug peddlers during the operations and recovered nine kilograms of hashish and heroin. Four members of a street crime gang were also taken into custody. The SIU and CIA, he said, remain actively engaged in operations against organised crime across the city.
