By Moin Ullah Shah
KARACHI: The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of the CIA Karachi has arrested a wanted extortion suspect accused of threatening business owners and demanding large sums of money in New Karachi, police said.
The suspect, identified as Rais Lodhi, was arrested in Karachi’s Central District during an intelligence-based operation. According to police, he had been absconding and was wanted in two extortion cases registered at the New Karachi Industrial Area (NKIA) police station.
Police said that on May 9, 2026, the suspect and an accomplice allegedly demanded Rs1.5 million from a wholesale cigarette dealer in New Karachi and left behind a 9mm bullet casing as a threat.
In a separate incident on May 17, 2026, the suspect, along with another accomplice, allegedly threatened to kill the owner of a sweet shop in New Karachi unless he paid Rs1 million in extortion money.
The SIU said it had previously arrested the suspect’s alleged accomplice, Muhammad Zahid, in connection with both cases.
Police said the suspect is wanted in FIR No. 305/2026 under Sections 384 and 385 of the Pakistan Penal Code, and FIR No. 306/2026 under Sections 384, 385 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code, both registered at the NKIA police station.
Investigators said the suspect remains in custody and is being questioned to determine whether he was involved in other criminal activities.
