Who Was Rehman Dakait in Real Life?
The Complete Story of Karachi's Most Notorious Gangster
Rehman Dakait has recently captured global attention through the Bollywood film "Dhurandhar," where Akshaye Khanna's chilling portrayal brought this Pakistani gangster back into the spotlight. But who was the real Rehman Dakait? This comprehensive blog explores the dark and complex life of one of Pakistan's most feared criminals.
Early Life of Rehman Dakait
Rehman Dakait, born as Abdul Rehman Baloch (also known as Sardar Abdul Rehman Baloch), entered the world around 1980 in Lyari, Karachi. Different sources cite his birth year as 1975, 1976, or 1980, but most reliable records indicate 1980. He was born to Haji Abu Da'ad Muhammad, also called Dadal, an Iranian Baloch involved in the drug trade, and Khadija Bibi, who was his father's third wife.
Lyari: The Breeding Ground
Lyari, where Rehman Dakait grew up, was one of Karachi's oldest, most densely populated, and underdeveloped neighborhoods. The area had been a hotbed of criminal activity for decades, with gang warfare, drug trafficking, and poverty shaping the lives of its predominantly Baloch residents. By the time Rehman was born, Lyari was already controlled by powerful gangsters like Haji Lal Mohammad (Haji Laloo) and Iqbal "Babu" Dakait.
The Descent Into Crime
Rehman Dakait's introduction to violence came shockingly early. According to multiple reports, he committed his first violent act at just 13 years old when he stabbed a man who refused to let him burst firecrackers in Lyari. This incident marked the beginning of a brutal criminal career that would span over a decade and terrorize an entire city.
Growing up in a family already involved in the drug trade, young Rehman began peddling drugs from an early age. He joined the Laloo Gang, where his mentor Haji Laloo trained him as an enforcer and hitman. The illegal arms that flooded into Karachi during the Afghan jihad in the 1980s transformed petty criminals into heavily armed gangsters, and Rehman Dakait was quick to capitalize on this new reality.
The Dark Family Tragedy
Perhaps the most shocking chapter in Rehman Dakait's life was the alleged murder of his own mother, Khadija Bibi. According to Sindh Police records, Rehman killed his mother on September 18, 1995, which was reported as his first murder. The circumstances remain disputed, with rumors suggesting he murdered her in a fit of rage after Babu Dakait claimed to have had an affair with her and told Rehman he was his real father. Other versions suggest she was cooperating with police or had relationships with rival gang members. This matricide became a defining moment that cemented his reputation as utterly ruthless.
Rise to Power: Becoming the King of Lyari
Following his arrest in 1996 for weapons and drug charges, Rehman Dakait spent two and a half years in jail. However, in 1997, he escaped police custody while being transported to a court hearing. This escape marked a turning point. He fled to Balochistan and gradually began establishing his dominance over Lyari.
After Haji Laloo's arrest in 2001, the Laloo Gang splintered into two factions: the Rehman Dakait gang (also known as the Lyari Gang) and the Arshad Pappu gang. Rehman Dakait rapidly expanded his criminal empire beyond Lyari into areas like Malir and Korangi, competing with other underworld organizations including those affiliated with the MQM (Muttahida Qaumi Movement).
Criminal Activities
Rehman Dakait was accused of involvement in more than 100 crimes, including:
- Drug trafficking - Continuing the family business on a massive scale
- Extortion - Forcing businesses to pay protection money
- Contract killing and murder - Eliminating rivals and perceived threats
- Kidnapping for ransom - Targeting wealthy individuals and families
- Illegal arms trafficking - Supplying weapons throughout Karachi
- Dacoity (armed robbery) - Which gave him his notorious nickname "Dakait"
At the height of his power, Rehman Dakait's gang controlled approximately 85% of Lyari, making him the undisputed kingpin of the area.
Political Connections and the People's Aman Committee
Around 2008, Rehman Dakait transformed himself from a pure criminal into a political figure. He began introducing himself as Sardar Abdul Rehman Baloch and established the People's Aman Committee (PAC) of Lyari, ostensibly as a peacekeeping organization to control the decades-old gang wars. In reality, the committee served to consolidate his territorial control and facilitate criminal activities while providing political cover.
Rehman Dakait formed an alliance with the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), which was then in power. His growing influence made him a significant player in Karachi politics and business circles. Reports suggest that his family had received political patronage since the 1960s, particularly after Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto founded the PPP in 1967. Lyari has remained a PPP stronghold ever since.
The Robin Hood Image: Despite his brutality, Rehman Dakait cultivated a Robin Hood-like image among Lyari's poor residents. He reportedly distributed flour, ghee, and other supplies during Eid and other occasions, provided medical services, and funded schools and community support programs where the government had failed. This dual nature - ruthless criminal and community benefactor - made him a complex and controversial figure who was revered by many locals even as he terrorized others.
The Benazir Bhutto Connection
Rehman Dakait reportedly had connections with former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. According to reports, his men provided security for Benazir and other PPP leaders at public events. When Benazir returned to Pakistan in October 2007 after nine years in exile and was targeted in bomb blasts during her procession in Karachi, witnesses claimed it was Rehman Dakait who helped rescue her from the chaos and safely transported her home.
The Death of Rehman Dakait: August 9, 2009
The end came for Rehman Dakait on August 9, 2009, in what authorities described as a police encounter but what many alleged was an extrajudicial killing. He was arrested in November 2008 in Jinnah Town, Quetta, which sparked protests outside Karachi Press Club. He reportedly escaped from police custody shortly after.
The Fatal Encounter
On that fateful night in August 2009, Superintendent of Police (SP) Chaudhry Aslam Khan and his police party intercepted Rehman Dakait and his companions - Aqeel Baloch, Aurangzaib Baba, and Nazir Bala. A fierce shootout ensued late at night, resulting in all four men being grievously injured. They died en route to the hospital.
Who Killed Rehman Dakait?
SP Chaudhry Aslam Khan was the police officer responsible for the operation that resulted in Rehman Dakait's death. Aslam, known as "Pakistan's Dirty Harry," was a controversial figure famous for his aggressive tactics against criminals and militants. He had been leading the Lyari Task Force, specifically created to eliminate Rehman Dakait and his gang from Lyari.
Controversy and Allegations
The circumstances of Rehman Dakait's death remain highly controversial. His widow approached the Sindh High Court, claiming the encounter was fake and staged. Many critics questioned the official narrative, citing autopsy reports and suggesting the encounter was premeditated. The court ordered an FIR (First Information Report) to be filed against SP Chaudhry Aslam, but the case was never resolved.
Chaudhry Aslam himself was later killed on January 9, 2014, when a suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden car that smashed into his convoy on the Lyari Expressway. The Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility, stating Aslam was targeted for his operations against them. Investigations revealed that his own driver and bodyguard had betrayed him, informing terrorists of his movements.
The Aftermath and Legacy
Following Rehman Dakait's death, the situation in Lyari became tense. Thousands of people attended his funeral, one of the largest Lyari had ever witnessed. This massive turnout demonstrated the complex relationship the community had with their fallen gangster - viewed by many as a Robin Hood figure rather than a criminal.
After his death, Rehman Dakait's cousin and lieutenant Uzair Baloch took over leadership of the gang and continued operations. The violence in Lyari persisted, with reports suggesting over 800 people were killed in gang conflicts between 2004 and 2013. Uzair Baloch was eventually arrested by Interpol at Dubai International Airport in 2015, extradited to Pakistan, and sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2020.
Personal Life
Several sources indicate that Rehman Dakait was married three times and had 13 children. The Government of Sindh had placed a bounty of Rs. 5 million (approximately $50,000 at the time) on his head, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the authorities' desperation to capture him.
Rehman Dakait in Popular Culture
The story of Rehman Dakait has been immortalized in the 2024 Bollywood film "Dhurandhar," directed by Aditya Dhar. Actor Akshaye Khanna portrays Rehman Dakait in a performance that has been widely praised by audiences and critics alike. Sanjay Dutt plays SP Chaudhry Aslam Khan, while Ranveer Singh stars as an undercover RAW agent who infiltrates the gang.
The film has sparked renewed interest in the real-life story of Rehman Dakait, with many viewers researching the historical events that inspired the movie. Khanna's portrayal has been described as chilling and magnetic, bringing to life the complex character who was simultaneously feared and revered in Lyari.
Conclusion: Understanding Rehman Dakait
The story of Rehman Dakait is a cautionary tale about how poverty, systemic neglect, and lack of opportunity can create figures who become both villains and reluctant heroes in their communities. Born into a world of crime, Rehman Dakait rose to become one of Pakistan's most notorious gangsters, controlling vast criminal enterprises while simultaneously providing services to his community that the government had failed to deliver.
His life was marked by extreme violence - from allegedly killing his own mother to orchestrating countless murders and criminal activities. Yet he was also viewed as a protector and provider by many in Lyari, demonstrating the complex relationship between crime, politics, and community in underdeveloped urban areas.
The death of Rehman Dakait at the hands of SP Chaudhry Aslam Khan in 2009 did not end the violence in Lyari, but it marked the end of an era. Today, while Lyari has become calmer with revived football clubs and community activities, the scars of that violent past remain etched in the collective memory of its residents.
Rehman Dakait's legacy serves as a stark reminder of how failed governance and extreme poverty can create conditions where criminals become community leaders, and where the line between victim and perpetrator becomes impossibly blurred.
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