KARACHI, Pakistan: The Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) has announced a three-day mourning over death of its leader Tariq Mehbood while being in custody, whereas his brother Ishtiaque Mehboob has demanded the formation of a joint investigation team (JIT) over what he called the ‘murder of Tariq Mehboob’.
Earlier in the day, the SIC leader and the Anjuman Naujwanan-i-Islam (ANI) Chief Tariq Mehbood died of a heart attack in Central Jail Karachi, a few days after he was arrested by Rangers personnel in Karachi on charges of providing refuge to target killers.
However, his family members said they suspect Tariq Mehbood was tortured in detention, and called his death an extrajudicial killing. But the Rangers said in a press release that that the SIC leader did not die in Rangers’ custody and that he died in Central Jail Karachi.
Last week, Tariq Mehboob and seven others were arrested by Rangers personnel near Yousuf Plaza in Block 16 of Federal B area. Later, the SIC leader was produced in an anti-terrorism court which remanded him in Rangers’ custody for 90 days under the Protection of Pakistan Ordinance (PPO).
The body of Tariq Mehboob after his death was shifted to a hospital for post-mortem examination.
The sources said that his post-mortem had been completed and according to doctors, no mark of torture was found on his body. His post-mortem report was reserved.
