Raja Umar Khattab — The Golden Chapter of the Counter-Terrorism Force Comes to an End
By: Sameer Qureshi
Today, September 11, marks the final day of service for senior and courageous Sindh Police officer Raja Umar Khattab. After completing his distinguished career, he will officially retire, closing an important chapter in the history of the provincial Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD).
Every institution is built by its people, but there are some individuals whose extraordinary skills and character make them the very identity of that institution. Raja Umar Khattab is one of those rare figures. His personality and work kept the performance of CTD in the spotlight for years.
The true identity of this force has always been linked with a few big names — Shaheed Chaudhry Aslam, Fayaz Khan, Mazhar Mashwani, and Raja Umar Khattab. In the coming days, the responsibility will certainly rest in the capable hands of officers like Safdar Mashwani, Raja Bashir, and Raja Tariq. Yet, the departure of Raja Umar Khattab leaves a significant void for CTD.
Throughout his career, he solved countless cases that were once considered unsolvable. He was always at the forefront in operations against dangerous organizations and organized networks. His bravery, strategies, and extraordinary intellect earned him a unique position. I have known him since 1998–99 when he was with the ATW, while I was only a few years into journalism — our professional connection continued to grow over the years.
His experience was not confined to files or paperwork; it was the result of years of fieldwork, dedication, and sacrifice. That is why even after retirement, it is vital to keep him associated with the institution. Our journalist colleague Naveed Kamal, in one of his articles, also advised the government that if Raja Umar Khattab were included in the fields of training and consultation, the new generation of officers could greatly benefit from his expertise.
If the police force were to establish a permanent training and research center, retired officers like Raja Umar Khattab could pass on their skills and vision to younger officers. This would not only be a valuable asset for CTD but for Sindh Police as a whole.
Raja Umar Khattab is now officially retiring, but his services, insights, and ability to make the right decisions at the right time will always serve as guidance for the department. He is a name that will forever be remembered in the history of Sindh Police.