In the turbulent history of Karachi’s underworld, few names evoke as much fear and fascination as Rehman Dakait. Born Sardar Abdul Rehman Baloch, he was far more than a conventional criminal; he was the central figure in the bloody Lyari gang war, a political broker, and a polarizing figure who oscillated between being a ruthless warlord and a "Robin Hood" for the impoverished residents of Lyari.
1. Introduction: The Godfather of Lyari
Rehman Dakait was the face of organized crime in Lyari, one of Karachi’s oldest and most densely populated areas. For nearly a decade, he controlled a vast criminal empire that included drug trafficking, extortion, and kidnapping. However, his influence extended beyond crime; through the formation of the Peoples' Aman Committee (PAC), he became a significant player in the political landscape of Sindh, blurring the lines between gangsterism and governance. His life story is intrinsically linked to the socio-political decay of Karachi in the 2000s, where gang violence became a tool for political leverage.
2. Early Life and Criminal Heritage
Rehman was born in 1980 in Lyari, Karachi, into a family with deep roots in the criminal underworld. He was the son of Dad Muhammad, popularly known as Dadal, and the nephew of Sheru. Both men were notorious figures in the 1960s and 70s, involved in hashish smuggling and street-level violence.
A Legacy of Crime: Rehman’s father and uncle were the original "drug lords" of the area, challenging older established criminals like "Kala Nag." This environment meant Rehman was exposed to the mechanics of the underworld from childhood.
The "Dakait" Moniker: While his birth name was Sardar Abdul Rehman Baloch, he earned the alias "Dakait" (Dacoit/Bandit) due to his brazen criminal activities.
Juvenile Offenses: His entry into violence was incredibly premature. Reports indicate that he stabbed a man when he was just 13 years old.
Family Tragedy: One of the most chilling rumors surrounding his early life is the allegation that he murdered his own mother in 1995 over a domestic dispute or her alleged association with a rival gang. This act, though never proven in a court of law, cemented his reputation for cold-blooded ruthlessness early on.
3. Rise to Power: The Vacuum in the Underworld
Rehman Dakait did not immediately become a kingpin. He started as a foot soldier and enforcer for Haji Laloo, a dominant gangster in Lyari during the 1990s. Laloo was the father of Arshad Pappu, who would later become Rehman’s arch-nemesis.
The turning point in Rehman’s career came in 2001, following the arrest of Haji Laloo. With the boss behind bars, a power vacuum emerged. Rehman, possessing a sharper tactical mind and a greater appetite for violence than Laloo’s sons, maneuvered to take control of the gang’s operations.
Consolidation: Unlike his predecessors who focused solely on drugs, Rehman diversified into extortion (bhatta) and land grabbing, modernizing the gang’s revenue streams.
The Split: His takeover was not accepted by Haji Laloo’s son, Arshad Pappu. This dispute fractured the gang into two warring factions: the Rehman Dakait Group and the Arshad Pappu Group, setting the stage for a bloodbath that would last for years.
4. The Lyari Gang War
The conflict between Rehman Dakait and Arshad Pappu is known as the Lyari Gang War, a period of intense urban warfare that turned the streets of Lyari into a battle zone.
The Nature of the War
The war was characterized by the use of rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), automatic weapons, and gruesome torture methods. Both sides fought for control over drug dens, extortion territories, and political patronage.
Rehman’s Strategy: Rehman was known for his strategic intellect. He built a network of informants and corrupt police officials, allowing him to stay one step ahead of the law and his rivals.
The Toll: Hundreds of young men from Lyari were killed in tit-for-tat shootings. The violence frequently spilled over into neighboring areas, holding the city of Karachi hostage.
Arshad Pappu: While Pappu was seen as a brutal thug, Rehman cultivated a more sophisticated image, often positioning himself as a defender of the Baloch people against external threats, which garnered him significant community support.
5. Political Influence: The Peoples' Aman Committee (PAC)
What distinguished Rehman Dakait from ordinary criminals was his political ambition. In 2008, he founded the Peoples' Aman Committee (PAC).
The PAC’s Role
Ostensibly, the PAC was a community organization created to bring peace and social welfare to Lyari. In reality, it served multiple strategic purposes for Rehman:
Legitimacy: It provided a veneer of legitimacy to his criminal enterprise, rebranding gangsters as "social workers."
Political Bargaining: The PAC became a vote-bank machine. Rehman used his influence to deliver the Lyari vote to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). In return, it is alleged that his group received protection from law enforcement and political backing.
Parallel Governance: Under the PAC, Rehman ran a parallel government in Lyari. He settled disputes, funded schools, distributed water, and paved roads. This "Robin Hood" strategy earned him genuine loyalty among the poor, who saw him as a provider where the state had failed.
6. Controversies and Legal Battles
Rehman Dakait’s life was a continuous saga of controversy. He was named in hundreds of First Information Reports (FIRs) covering murder, attempted murder, drug trafficking, and terrorism.
Benazir Bhutto’s Security: One of the most persistent controversies involves the 2007 Karsaz bombing. Reports suggested that Rehman and his men were part of the security cordon for Benazir Bhutto upon her return to Pakistan, highlighting his deep (albeit unofficial) integration into the party's apparatus.
Police Escapes: Rehman was arrested once by the formidable SP Chaudhry Aslam Khan in 2006 but managed to escape custody under mysterious circumstances (reportedly jumping from a police van or escaping a hospital). This escape added to his "mythical" status as an untouchable figure.
Matricide Allegations: The rumor of him killing his mother haunted his reputation, often used by rivals to paint him as a monster devoid of basic human values, despite his public persona of a community protector.
7. The End: The Encounter (August 2009)
Rehman Dakait’s reign of terror came to an abrupt end on August 9, 2009.
He was killed in a shootout with the Karachi Police, led by the famous encounter specialist SP Chaudhry Aslam Khan. The encounter took place near the Steel Town area of Karachi.
The Official Account: Police stated that they intercepted a vehicle carrying Rehman and his associates. A gunfight ensued, resulting in the death of Rehman and three accomplices: Aurangzeb, Nazeer, and Shoaib.
The Controversy: As with many police encounters in Karachi, Rehman’s death was controversial. His family and supporters claimed he was arrested days earlier and extrajudicially executed. The news of his death sparked massive riots in Lyari, with tires burned and the city shutting down in fear of retaliation.
Zulfiqar Mirza's Statement: Senior politician Zulfiqar Mirza later gave conflicting statements regarding the death, at one point claiming responsibility and expressing regret, which further muddied the waters regarding the political authorization behind the hit.
8. Legacy and Aftermath
Rehman Dakait’s death did not end the gang war; in many ways, it worsened it.
Rise of Uzair Baloch: Rehman was succeeded by his cousin, Uzair Baloch, who took over the PAC. Under Uzair, the violence escalated to even greater heights, eventually leading to a military-led operation in Karachi.
End of Arshad Pappu: In a gruesome act of revenge, Uzair Baloch and his lieutenant Baba Ladla later kidnapped Rehman’s rival, Arshad Pappu, in 2013. They tortured and beheaded him, reportedly playing football with his head—a horrific homage to the brutality Rehman had unleashed.
Pop Culture: Rehman’s life continues to inspire dark fascination. He is portrayed by actor Akshaye Khanna in the 2025 Bollywood film Dhurandhar, which dramatizes the conflict between the Lyari gangs and Karachi police.
Top 5 Interesting Facts About Rehman Dakait
The "Robin Hood" Paradox: Despite being a drug lord, he spent millions on social welfare in Lyari, funding weddings for poor women, paying school fees, and resolving neighborhood disputes, which made him a beloved figure in his constituency.
The 13-Year-Old Killer: His criminal record began at age 13 with a stabbing, marking one of the youngest entries into serious violent crime in Karachi’s history.
The "Doctor" Alias: In some circles, he was reportedly referred to as "Doctor" not because of a degree, but because of his "surgical" precision in removing rivals and his purported intelligence compared to other uneducated gangsters.
Escaping Custody: He was one of the few criminals to have escaped the custody of SP Chaudhry Aslam (in 2006), a feat that was considered impossible at the time given Aslam's reputation.
Political Flag Bearer: Unlike typical underground dons who hide in the shadows, Rehman often publicly brandished political flags and held rallies, openly merging the worlds of crime and democratic politics.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How did Rehman Dakait die?
A: Rehman Dakait was killed in a police encounter (shootout) on August 9, 2009, by a police team led by SP Chaudhry Aslam Khan near Steel Town, Karachi.
Q: Who succeeded Rehman Dakait?
A: His cousin, Uzair Baloch, succeeded him as the head of the gang and the Peoples' Aman Committee (PAC).
Q: What was the Peoples' Aman Committee (PAC)?
A: The PAC was an organization founded by Rehman Dakait in 2008. While officially a community peace committee, it was widely accused of being a front for organized crime, extortion, and political violence in Lyari.
Q: Was Rehman Dakait a politician?
A: He was never an elected official, but he was a powerful political broker. He founded the PAC to organize political support for the PPP in Lyari and wielded immense influence over local elections and governance.
Q: Who were Rehman Dakait's main rivals?
A: His primary rival was Arshad Pappu, the son of his former mentor Haji Laloo. Their conflict drove the Lyari gang war. He also had rivalries with the MQM (Muttahida Qaumi Movement) regarding territorial control in Karachi.
Q: Is the movie "Dhurandhar" based on his life?
A: Yes, the 2025 film Dhurandhar features a character based on Rehman Dakait, portrayed by actor Akshaye Khanna, highlighting his role in the Karachi underworld.
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